Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and compliment my colleague, Senator Reilly, on bringing forward the motion. I have had the pleasure of visiting both a private and a public venture in Limerick with the Ministers of State, Deputies English and Jim Daly. The private and public facilities have definitely learned from each other about ways to improve the lives of older people, particularly those aged over 55, towards whom both developments are geared. It has been a very innovative way to give older people security and quality of life. I will begin with the private home where people of all ages live. There was social dancing, drama classes, arts and crafts. The day we were there a table quiz was held. There is so much going on. Everybody there has a key to their own front door and the success of the project is down to the fact people can cook meals in their own home if they wish or can arrange to go down to the communal area and avail of the food there. There is also a pharmacy, a local shop and a doctor within 200 yd. of where the facility has been built.

The public facility built by the local authority won an award for the building and the thought put into it.I compliment Limerick City and County Council on the amount of work it put into it. It built it in an area which had everything on site or very close by, which was very thoughtful. The facility encourages older people to downsize. They have a communal area in which they come together for classes or group activities and a tea or coffee area for visitors. There is security and a local nurse or doctor is available. A care assistant is on call for both facilities, which is very important because it has given great security and peace of mind to the older persons resident therein.

In the case of the local authority facility, there has been a land swap of sorts in that householders who may be widows or widowers living in a three or four-bedroom house have been encouraged to move to a one or two-bedroom unit in the facility. This has freed up some local authority houses for families. All local authority areas are experiencing the same difficulties, with lengthy housing waiting lists. The venture in Limerick is a concept that must be delivered in more areas of the country. Having health facilities, including a nurse, a doctor and so on, available in the facility is of great benefit, especially as people get older, as are activities involving well-being and mindfulness, as well as active retirement and other groups.

The men's shed initiative has been a great success in many developments and we are trying to encourage its further growth, with one of the housing association groups. It is positive to see its success replicated throughout the country.

I have been told by a person involved in building housing through a co-operative housing association that problems are often encountered in the planning system. Another person stated he or she had to jump through hoops in order to get a project in a rural area over the line. The project is a great success story, especially for the widows and widowers who were living on a farm and felt vulnerable and isolated and who have now moved into a development of 50 houses in a village. A significant amount of thought and work has gone into it. That is the way to go.

It is welcome that the Departments of Health and Housing, Planning and Local Government have come together on this matter because many issues which are the responsibility of these Departments are of concern to residents. It is important that we learn as we move forward and give people the quality of life they deserve. In addition, as I stated, these developments help to free up bigger houses for families.