Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

A lot of good points have been made that emphasise the variety of issues that are involved. I would welcome the views of any of our guests as to whether a dedicated zoning for affordable housing that includes housing for older people or specific zoning for housing for older people would be a way of ensuring that more land and sites are available.

Some very good points have been made about the hope that people will be in nursing homes for a much shorter time because they are supported better to stay in their homes for longer. If we have a choice between getting long-term vacant homes back into use or short-term vacant homes, it would be better to pick long-term vacant homes. We could make less out of short-term vacant homes. There is probably political consensus on trying to achieve both.

I will ask Age Action Ireland about issues around people being pressurised by the fair deal scheme and the safeguards required in that regard. The representatives referred to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act and that the provisions there are part of the safeguards. What about people who are not covered under that Act and who are not be defined as a relevant person under the Act? Let us take, for example, the case of a person who may well be capable of making their own decisions but who could also be subject to pressure from family members. As people get older, sometimes there are a lot of dependencies and interdependencies involved. Have our guests any ideas or views on the safeguards required for that cohort of people who may not be specifically covered by that Act? That is an area about which I have concerns.