Ms Fiona Larthwell:

I will be brief and perhaps we might revisit this topic later. The point about the vulnerability of the cohort is important. From the national dementia strategy, we know that more than 70% of people in nursing homes have dementia or some other type of cognitive impairment. This is an issue affecting a majority rather than a minority in trying to determine the will and preference of the person in care is. One of the main safeguards we are looking to, and something we have made clear in all our communications on this issue, is the implementation of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Its title is a bit of a mouthful but the legislation is all about ensuring that people who wish to rent out their homes are supported in being able to do so and have someone on hand who will work with them as a decision-maker to reach the extremely important decision that will have many consequences for them downstream.

The other aspect of this is something that Age Friend Ireland representatives told to us about signposting, namely, that older people will not do anything in this regard unless it is made easier for them to do so. Once all of this is in place, we will have to consider, as a group, how we can help older people to understand what we would like them to do, the implications of doing that and how they might go about it.

All of that is very important in helping them take that decision. As the Deputy mentioned, when communicating about this it is so important not to, in essence, spook people in this regard. We do not want to make people think we are trying to take their houses from them. We have to do this in a very careful and considered manner that is respectful of the residents. Overall, the Department is separately working on the adult safeguarding policy, which will also bring in consideration of risk assessments.