Ms Mary Hurley:

I will work through that range of issues. The targets that have been set for social housing have been set on foot of a very detailed analysis of what is in the pipeline and what the different needs are in each local authority area. When we started the exercise to set targets for each local authority, we provided guidance and wrote to each local authority area. We are very clear on the particular needs. The Senator is right about singles and two-bed apartments, in particular. There is a huge need. Our social housing list shows that over one third of our population is single. In framing the targets, we have worked very closely with local authorities and have established, on a scheme-by-scheme basis, the type of delivery we expect in the coming years.

In terms of older persons, we can see what we will deliver through the CAS programme. In terms of sustainable communities and mixed developments across various sites, we can see how many of the units will be for older people and how many will be for people with a disability. That was the target-setting process.

When the Minister attends later in the month, we can touch on that matter further. In setting the targets, we had regard to the waiting list in each local area and the mix and types of need in areas. There was also engagement with each local authority on its particular needs. In 2018, targets have been set across building, leasing and acquisition. This issue is very much on our minds.

I will work through some of the other issues that the Senator raised regarding downsizing. It has to be done sometimes. It is an option. Some people want to downsize and some do not. We have an adaptive policy. For example, we had two projects in Dublin last year. At Broombridge, we delivered 51 housing units for older people with a mix that included downsizing. A number of the committee members might have attended the opening of the second project, that being, Annamore Court in Ballyfermot. An interesting project, it delivered 70 units last year, 16 of which were for people who wished to downsize. Those units were designed and developed in a particular way that was supportive of older people with needs.

We view the St. Michael's project, which is advancing, as important. As my colleague from the Department of Health mentioned, this model sees the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government working with Dublin City Council, the HSE and the Department of Health to get the best possible housing for older people. That will be reflected in the design. In order that we might learn from the project from the outset, we have developed a toolkit, which we will provide to local authorities so that what is best for older people's social housing can be determined. This part of the learning process is important.

The social housing agenda is about the mix and meeting the needs of older people, people with disabilities and a range of other persons. That is reflected in our targets and is something to which we are committed. We will work on it.

The Senator mentioned the St. Laurence's Park project, which is close to his heart. He has been working with the Department in this regard. It is an important project. We have been liaising with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, to which I expect we will revert over the coming days so that the project can proceed. The local authority will work with the individuals in the premises to whom the Senator referred. It is a good project that will advance shortly.

Regarding design, my colleague, Ms Sarah Neary from our building regulations section, has been working with the National Disability Authority and the Centre for Design Innovation on how we can design homes that are Part M compliant and meet older people's needs. A great deal of innovative work has been done in this regard, as evidenced by the competition that we ran last year where 60 applicants sent in interesting ideas. The Abhaile Project won that competition and we are moving forward with some of the ideas.

I will focus on the community piece, which the Senator mentioned. We have a collaborative and close working relationship with the Department of Health. We are also working with our colleagues in the Department of Rural and Community Development. Be it through a seniors alert scheme grant or a housing solution, we must all join together to keep people in their homes. As such, the question of community is on our radar. At our cross-sectoral and interdepartmental meetings, we are conscious that housing the elderly is not just about the house, but about home care, security and feeling safe. That is something we are progressing with the housing piece.