John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important topic. It is probably an area that does not necessarily get the focus it needs. Deputy Ó Broin is correct. There are some excellent examples of schemes throughout the country, not least in my county. He referenced St. John's College and the significant ad hoc work being done by organisations on the ground in communities, but there is less of an overarching structure to it, which is necessary. As we see an ageing of our population, and the projections to 2051 are that we will have an additional 1.7 million people over the age of 65, we have to address that and grasp that we have an under-provision of rightsizing options in our State.

I want to tease this out with the departmental officials. Other than H and A zonings, is there a case to be made that we now need to look at specific zonings in respect of older persons or at least specific guidance on making decisions on planning applications? As the officials know, local authorities are being pushed into making decisions on higher density. That is laudable and there for a reason. We have a specific amount of zoned land we need to maximise, but perhaps 35 houses per hectare in Waterford is not appropriate when providing a particular scheme, yet it has to be adjudicated on from a planning perspective that is being driven by densities. What is the thinking in the Department on how we can address that issue in the context of the drive for density and the need to make provision for older persons' accommodation?