Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will respond very briefly. There are a number of amendments to get through but this is a very important topic. I have no doubt we will come back to persons with disabilities right the way through the course of our deliberations. It goes without saying there are many people with disabilities who are living in inappropriate accommodation right now. That is why it is important we continue to increase the supply of good quality social housing that is accessible to all. Fortunately, as I said already, I have had the fortune of visiting many of those types of developments throughout the country. Many of those with disabilities have been waiting too long for housing and wait longer on a housing list than an able-bodied person, for want of a better phrase. That is something I am acutely aware of and it is why we have to ensure we continue to increase the output of good quality social and affordable homes for people that are accessible to all. We will return to this matter again, but I really believe that by ensuring the development plans at local authority level - the local authorities are going to plan all different types of developments within their administrative area - the principle is enshrined in this Act to ensure those with disabilities, the elderly, the marginalised and children have proper design of developments within their local authority administrative area and that is where this should be dealt with in this part of the Bill.