Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I welcome the amendment and the commitment the Minister of State has made. In making new regulations, will he specifically consider dwellings that are expressly built for old people? Notwithstanding the Minister of State's commitment which I welcome and support, there ought to be a higher standard for dwellings, known as OPDs, specifically built for pensioners. Such dwellings must be constructed to the highest possible standard. Alarm systems should be part and parcel of the building regulations, so that local authorities or others erecting such houses would have to install them. While this can only apply to OPDs specifically designated in the planning permission, the Minister of State should expressly consider the issue. In addition, he should examine the provision of suitable dwellings for the disabled.

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