Dr. Emer Begley:

I will respond to the Deputy's question on percentage targets. The housing strategy has a target of 50% universally designed housing within local authority new builds, but there are three tiers of universal design and the strategy is at the first tier, not the plus plus tier. This would make the homes wheelchair visitable but not wheelchair livable. It does not include private accommodation either. In that regard, an issue I have not flagged yet is the need for incentives for private landlords. Many disabled people are accessing accommodation through private landlords, so incentives for landlords to make changes to their properties to make them accessible for people with disabilities are key.

The Deputy's remarks about retrofitting being far more expensive than future proofing resonated with me. Disability should be included in all future housing policy.