Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English. We are very lucky that the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, as well as the Minister of State have come to the House today. It is a good day because we have had a robust debate on housing. At the end of the day, we are here for the good of the people, including those who need houses. We may all have different views and blaming each other will not solve the problem, but I know that we will work together, as we have done as members of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The Fianna Fáil Party broadly supports the motion which aims to provide specific accommodation for older people. While Rebuilding Ireland has missed several targets, it needs to be enhanced and resourced to tackle the distinct needs of several sections of society. We need to talk about what is being built and address the issue that we are building units that serve one type of family only. A core priority must be building units to allow older people to live independently and for as long as possible in their own homes. We need to plan for the future, not for today but for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be different from today. We need to lead, not react.

The demographic challenge in Ireland means that we need to put in place fit-for-purpose housing infrastructure to reflect people's changing needs. We need to create housing for all people, providing all types of accommodation, including the co-operative model that is so popular and successful in Scandinavian countries. The co-operatives must include any or all of those who wish to live in such housing. As Senator Reilly said, it would not be for everybody, but at least if we can give people a choice, they can make up their own minds. The co-operatives must include everyone. They are not glorified retirement homes, in which some people want to live, but others do not want to live in them. The motion draws on Fianna Fáil's policy of promoting town centre based accommodation for older people and measures to incentivise downsizing, where appropriate. Older people should never feel pressurised into leaving the family home that they worked long and hard to buy. Taxation incentives to move should be accompanied by targeted accommodation in suitable areas in the community.

It is appropriate, as Senator Reilly said, that people should have a choice in deciding where they want to go. It is vital that the issue be approached sensitively and that we respect the fact that the size of a house is not the sole criterion in deciding whether one wants to move. There are many older people who like to host charity functions in their home, on which many charities rely. They may rule out moving to a particular home because of its size. It ignores the person's contribution to society. Therefore, we have to be carful about how we do it. The role older people play in the community should not be undervalued. The person has spent a lifetime in the area, still has a lot to give and should never be forced into relocating in an area in which he or she will not be comfortable and with which he or she has no connection. His or her role in the community and family connections should always be fully appreciated in Government policy. We need to create communities, not segregate people based on age, family dynamic or economics.

It is important that adaptation grants be fully restored and delivered in a timely manner to help older people to upgrade their family home in order to continue to live in it, if that is their wish. People are living longer and when it comes to helping older people and those with disabilities, affording them the opportunity to grow old and remain in their home is a central plank of Fianna Fail policy. They face unreasonable waiting times for decisions that will impact on their lives. This essential grants scheme is mired in backlogs, with unreasonable waiting times for decisions on applications. The generations before us put us where we are today and we need to look after them as well as they looked after us.

The number of home care packages should be increased alongside the number of home help hours that are critical in enabling older people to continue to live at home. Long-term demand for care continues to grow and we now have a scandalous situation where 6,200 people are waiting for home care packages to be approved. From speaking to families all across County Carlow, I know that they are enduring great hardship in applying for and being granted home care packages.

The Part V requirement should be expanded to 20% of builds, with specific references to specialist accommodation, including town centre developments, placing such accommodation near crèches, etc., all of which are socially inclusive ways of engaging people through clever planning.

I recommend that there be formal collaboration with service providers, the Department of Health, the HSE and all other relevant bodies, particularly the councils. It is so important that all local authorities play a significant role in that regard. As I said, people are living longer; therefore, it is about quality of life. Rural areas do not have the infrastructure that is in place in Dublin. As those living in rural areas do not have access to the same transport services, one has to be very careful when a proposal such as this goes ahead. Overall, there are very good aspects to the proposals which have been made, but it must be remembered that some of us are based in rural areas. What I would see as a Member from a rural area is it being done properly. I would like to see a focus on the inclusion of small towns in the scheme. Older people in remote areas are living in fear because of robberies and break-ins. Therefore, we need to target those living alone in isolated areas who might not even have a family. It is up to the local authorities and the Government to make that connection and survey people living in rural areas and cities in order that we will be able to target them and not forget anybody.

This is an important motion. If implemented correctly, it could be very important for elderly people. We need to approach people and bring them to a meeting at which somebody will go through the options with them. Everybody needs to see if this proposal is suitable for him or her and if it is, it will be very valuable. If not, we will have to be respectful of his or her choice. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I am in favour of the proposal. If it is approached in the correct manner, it will be very good for the older people of Ireland.