John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am glad of the opportunity to speak on this motion. I will concentrate on voluntary and co-operative housing, Traveller accommodation and accommodation for Irish emigrants living abroad. The combination of Government policies is working well, particularly in my constituency.

The voluntary housing for the elderly scheme is worth mentioning. The money allocated under this heading does not reduce the capital allocated to local authorities. The scheme is an ideal opportunity to provide for the elderly and to ensure that we maintain capital investment in local authority housing. I hope we will examine ways of improving the voluntary housing for the elderly sector. Two years ago I sponsored a scheme of housing for the elderly in my home town, Mountmellick. I and my constituency secretary undertook the task of involving the community in the project. It was clear from that experience that providing for the elderly is an important way of adding to one's local area.

We made our application to the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. The scheme cost €3.2 million and the local contribution was €185,000. The scheme was opened officially by the Minister some weeks ago and Mountmellick now has 25 state-of-the-art housing units as well as a community centre. The project brought the community together and encouraged people to become involved in a voluntary capacity. The spin-off effect is that we have ideal, top class accommodation for the elderly.

I hope that as we proceed with such schemes throughout most towns and villages we will examine ways of making the venture more attractive for voluntary groups who might wish to participate. At present, 95% grant assistance is available under the capital assist schemes. In view of the fact that these schemes depend on voluntary effort, perhaps the grant assistance could be increased to 97% or 98%. It should be considered. The fact that Mountmellick could provide that scheme meant that demand was reduced on the local authority to provide maisonette accommodation, which is traditionally given to people in the over 65 age group. We are in the happy position of being able to offer accommodation to the age group that is often left behind, that is, the 55 to 65 year olds.

If this scheme was copied throughout the country, it would reduce demands on the capital programme for local authorities and provide sheltered and secure accommodation. I also believe that if demand in local authority areas is being met, we could turn our attention to bringing home Irish people who are retired and living abroad and who might be in need of housing accommodation. Provided these people meet criteria such as those set down by Safe Home, they should be entitled to transfer without having to put their names on a local authority housing list. This is important.

I have always been a supporter of the local authority when it undertook to provide Traveller accommodation. If people doubt that, they can check my record as a member of Laois County Council. I have always believed we should take as many people off the roadside as possible. The local authority in Laois has been the top local authority in providing Traveller accommodation. However, I wish to make an appeal. There are a number of schemes in Laois where, unfortunately, the Traveller community would not take the accommodation offered. We should encourage Travellers to accept accommodation, particularly where new houses in new schemes are being offered. We should be more proactive in this regard, especially in view of the recent reports about mortality rates among Traveller women. There should be more emphasis on ensuring that as many people as possible accept such accommodation.

I support what the Minister is doing in the housing sector. I believe the combination of policies is working well and is doing a great deal to house as many people as possible.

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