Mr. Liam Hanrahan:

I thank Ms Farrelly. Senator Clonan asked how do we identify those who are living at home with elderly people. It is not only getting them onto the housing list, but the type of supports they need. Sometimes that support may be in terms of a grant to allow some level of independent living within their own home with their parents. That could be a wet room or an extension for their own living room, etc. Typically, that type of contact comes either from a family member or from a local councillor who knows the family and applies for a grant. When we are carrying out the assessment, in some cases it may become evident that the person should apply for a housing allocation, complete the form and get on the waiting list. In the short term, the solution may be to provide a wet room, an extension or some works in the family home. In the long term, however, it would involve working with our social work team and the HSE team around making sure that person's housing form is filled in, that he or she is on the waiting list and that he or she goes through the allocations scheme as necessary.