Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 8, between lines 40 and 41, to insert the following:"(viii) information as to what percentage of the proposed development will meet the definition of "universal design" as set out in section 52 of the Disability Act 2005, as well as plans to ensure the accessibility of any proposed development to amenities and services.".

I will be brief because it is getting late.

I am heartened to hear that measures are in place to ensure people will not be sleeping rough in Cork, Dublin or any town in Ireland because they do not have a place to go. The aim of the universal design amendments is to make sure the speedier planning process which we understand is necessary to ensure there will be enough housing available will not overlook the need for developments to be as accessible as possible. Universal design, as set out in section 52 of the Disability Act 2005, is considered to be the standard design which is accessible to all. We should ensure the greatest possible percentage of buildings meet the universal design standard. Under the 2005 Act, "universal design" means:

the design and composition of an environment so that it may be accessed, understood and used—(i) to the greatest practicable extent,

(ii) in the most independent and natural manner possible,

(iii) in the widest possible range of situations, and

(iv) without the need for adaptation, modification, assistive devices or specialised solutions,by persons of any age or size or having any particular physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual ability or disability,

They include people with dementia. There are 600,000 people with disabilities in Ireland and we need to create a housing stock that will enable people to enjoy their right to choose where and with whom they live on an equal basis to their non-disabled counterparts. This fundamental decongregation policy which is underlined in Rebuilding Ireland will enable people to age in place, rather than having to move to specialised or specialist units because of their increasing fragility or immobility. We need to be thinking of the future when we are building housing. I am reminded that Denmark has not had to build a single nursing home since 1987 because of its progressive policy on integrated housing and care. If we pay attention to universal design when we are building stock in order that we will not have to retrofit after the fact, we should be able to avoid having to solve other problems when people's health and mobility issues change. I hope we will have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the end of the year. It will place an obligation on the State to take appropriate measures to ensure accessibility in housing and other areas. The amendments would go some way towards ensuring these issues were given adequate consideration. I, therefore, ask the Minister to take them on board.