Mr. Patrick O'Sullivan:

The Senator referred to local authorities delivering for disabled people in the community. An important document was the design manual for quality housing, which we published in January 2022. That deals with site layouts and internal layouts in individual dwellings, not just for local authorities but also for AHBs. There is a consistent approach nationally between local authorities and AHBs. It provides clear guidance for the local authorities on integrating it into a community development. It gives clear examples. It is there for them at a national level and, when projects are submitted to the Department, the Department assesses them against those guidelines. It is clear there is a place for the proper integration, as well as the actual house with regard to meeting universal design principles. That is a key element of the guidance, so that the internal house is designed to be used throughout one’s life. It could be where someone acquires a disability as they progress through life or later in life in particular.

On assessing and providing housing for disability and applying for it, it is open to everyone with a disability, as with anyone, to fill out an application form for social housing. That will be assessed by the local authority on the basis of eligibility. Thereafter, it looks at if a level of care is needed. Then the engagement happens. There may not be care. People with disability access a house and may have family with them or may not need any particular level of care. As the level of care increases, the level of engagement with the HSE increases. That co-ordination is critical. There is the investment in the housing but equally the investment in the personal health and support services. That can be challenging but the mechanisms are in place.

The Senator mentioned the context of an individual in local authority. My experience of local authorities is they are excellent delivery partners. We cannot do anything without the local authorities as delivery partners. There are excellent people working across local authorities. They are bound by public sector duty, as we are. They operate on the basis of fairness, justice and getting people access to what is provided for through national investment distributed locally.

As regards the wider realm, an initiative came from a particular sector in the disability organisations with regard to public changing facilities. The Department is working to advance that, as are our colleagues on the building regulation side and the local authorities that are in a position to do so. The public facilities that are provided are accessible for all. Local authorities have a direct responsibility under the Disability Act.