Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that. Rightsizing generally means moving home in later life into housing that is more suitable. It is more usually known as downsizing. It can also mean adapting your home to make it more age appropriate or considering other housing options. The Housing for All plan sets out that the current and projected need for housing among our older people should be made through clear, target-driven local authority delivery action plans and housing strategies. Can the Minister of State indicate what engagement he has had with local authorities in this regard and whether he is satisfied that they are taking it seriously? Are there any good examples that could be used on a nationwide basis?

Housing for All also pledged additional actions, including guiding and informing enhanced design and construction of age-friendly, universally designed homes and reviewing existing grant programmes to assist older people to live independently. Will the Minister of State provide an update on that? How are local authorities ensuring that the voice of the older person is at the centre of any decision to rightsize and that their choice on where and who they wish to live with must take precedence?

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