Ms Tina Donaghy:

I would not disagree. In terms of planning, we work really closely with local authorities. We only address where housing need is. In my organisation specifically, we work with older people and we are a specialist older person housing provider. Therefore, our space standards would be larger. We have many criteria. It is not just about space. It is about useable, effective space that allows people to remain in their property if their mobility or care issues change throughout their lifetime.

We have very close working relationships with local authorities. We have at times not stuck to planning policy to the effect that 30% must be one-beds or no more than 30% can be one-beds. We have examples where 100% are one-beds. We opened what we think might probably be one of the largest housing developments for older people Crumlin in which there are 102 units that are all one bedroom and all social housing. It was allocated very fast and we worked really closely in partnership with Dublin City Council.