Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1359: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a statutory or working definition of sheltered accommodation for the purposes of local authority housing provision and allocation; if he will outline this definition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1780/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Specific state support for the accommodation needs of older people or people with special housing needs ranges from grant schemes which allow people to remain in their homes to the provision of specific sheltered housing options.

Both the local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sectors are providing an expanded range of social housing options and a wide range of accommodation types to meet special housing needs, including in relation to sheltered housing with low-level, on-site supports. Sheltered housing usually comprises a group scheme of dwellings with provision for on-site delivery of services to allow for assisted independent living. For most vulnerable groups, interventions in this area generally require an inter-agency response particularly where there is a care dimension to the supports required.

My Department's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, sets out a new approach to social housing provision and a new focus on meeting individual needs by providing homes for life in safe and well-planned neighbourhoods. This approach allows supports to be geared to the particular needs of people in different phases of their life. For older people, grants to adapt their homes to address mobility problems can supplement other supports to enable them to continue living independently at home for as long as possible.

A cross-departmental team on sheltered housing has been established by my Department to oversee progress in this area. Provision is being made for consultation with social partners through the Housing Forum.