Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

In line with the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, the development of a national housing strategy for people with a disability, which will support the provision of tailored housing and housing supports at local level, is underway and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.

Progress has also been made on the development of a suite of protocols to provide a strategic framework for inter-agency co-operation between housing authorities and the Health Service Executive. A protocol governing the assessment of the individual accommodation needs of certain people with a disability has been in operation since July 2007. Further protocols governing the funding arrangements between housing authorities and the HSE on ongoing support costs for social housing tenants and for the strategic assessment of the housing needs of people with a disability are currently being progressed.

Part M of the building regulations was amended in 2002 to include requirements on access to all dwellings by people with disabilities. A comprehensive review of Part M has since been carried out, in consultation with stakeholders, with a view to improving and broadening the scope of the relevant guidance. The outcome of this review will be released for public consultation shortly.

A wide range of supports are provided to meet the specific accommodation needs of people with a disability. These include the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability, the adaptation grant for new houses and the mobility aids grant schemes, adaptation works to local authority houses and up to 100% grants to support the provision of specific accommodation by voluntary housing bodies. Notwithstanding the more constrained fiscal environment, meeting the housing needs of the most vulnerable sections of society, including persons with a disability, will continue to be prioritised by Government.

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