Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Fitzpatrick on what she said about public representatives objecting to housing. I can never understand such objections because ultimately the planners are supposed to be the professionals who can adjudicate on whether something is appropriate. The days of public representatives making such submissions should be well and truly over given the crisis we are in.

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke about the lack of a date for leaving certificate results to be released. It is very disappointing that a firm date has not yet been given. Earlier today, Mr. Jim Miley of the Irish Universities Association outlined on radio the difficulties, challenges and complexities. He explained that it is impossible to plan when one does not know the date. I do not know what is going on but resolving this is not rocket science. Whatever the challenges, this is totally unfair on the students, in the first and last instance, as well as on all of those who rely on a date for the leaving certificate results to plan and ensure third level colleges are in a position to give the best possible support and services to students. Again, I appeal for a date to be provided on when the leaving certificate results will be published.

I will raise an issue I have spoken about before, namely, the need to locate retirement villages in towns and villages. Where possible, each town should identify an area of ground where a retirement village could be funded. There are lots of approved housing bodes and I am sure they would be only be too delighted to help in the creation of retirement villages. In turn, this would free up larger houses to be used by younger people with large families. I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange a debate on the whole issue of housing elderly people, those who wish to downsize and those who want to have a more modest affordable housing unit and are willing to surrender larger houses. These may be houses outside villages and the older people would prefer to be near services and supports. I realise we are approaching the end of this term. I would like a debate on housing the elderly arranged for the autumn.