David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress that has been made in the development of a national housing strategy for people with disabilities; the stakeholders, groups or individuals involved in its development; if the protocols on individual housing needs, social housing supports and strategic assessment of housing needs of people with disabilities have been established between housing authorities and the Health Service Executive and have been developed as per the commitment in his Department's Disability Act Sectoral Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46506/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Housing Policy Statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, reflects the commitment in Towards 2016 to develop a national housing strategy for people with a disability. Work on the strategy commenced in October 2007 under the aegis of a National Advisory Group, headed by my Department and involving the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, social partners and other relevant stakeholders including the National Disability Authority. A full list of the membership of the National Advisory Group is set out below.

The strategy, which will provide a broad framework to inform the future development of local authority Housing Action Plans, will support the provision of tailored housing and housing supports for people with a disability, and have particular regard to adults with significant disabilities and people who experience mental health issues. Work on the strategy is ongoing with a view to completion by end 2009.

As part of this focus, and in line with a commitment under my Department's Sectoral Plan, a suite of protocols governing liaison arrangements between housing authorities and the Health Service Executive is being developed. These protocols will provide a strategic framework for inter agency cooperation at local level.

My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive and local authorities, developed a protocol governing liaison between the Health Service Executive and housing authorities on the assessment of the individual accommodation needs of people with a disability, who have been assessed under Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 and identified as being likely to require housing support. This protocol, which has been in operation since July 2007, ensures that there is a smooth and transparent system to facilitate referral between the Health Service Executive and housing authorities in these cases.

The protocol governing funding arrangements between housing authorities and the Health Service Executive in relation to ongoing support costs for social housing projects provided for people with a disability is currently under development and is expected to be implemented early next year. A further protocol, to govern liaison between the housing authorities and the Health Service Executive in relation to the strategic assessment of the nature and extent of local housing needs of people with a disability, will be progressed in the context of the development of the national housing strategy for people with a disability. This protocol will improve the capturing of data in relation to the housing needs of people with a disability.

Membership of the National Advisory Group:

Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government (Chair);

Department of Health and Children;

Health Service Executive;

County and City Managers Association;

Homeless Agency;

Mental Health Ireland;

Mental Health Commission;

National Disability Authority;

Disability Federation of Ireland;

Inclusion Ireland;

National Federation of Voluntary Bodies;

People with Disabilities in Ireland;

Irish Council for Social Housing;

Not for Profit Business Association;

Community and Voluntary Pillar;

Irish Congress of Trade Unions;

Former Assistant County Manager, Cork;

Chair Macroom Senior Citizens Housing Development Ltd.;

Association of Occupational Therapists Ireland.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities which have new social inclusion units to enhance customer service to people with disabilities; if the 50% target by the end of 2008 as laid out in his Department's Disability Act Sectoral Plan will be reached and will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46507/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In July 2007 I announced the extension of the social inclusion unit programme to nine more local authorities in line with a commitment in Towards 2016. This brings the total number of units to seventeen and has been accomplished well in advance of the deadline of the end of 2008. The successful local authorities were selected following an objective assessment process which was overseen by an Inter-Departmental Steering Group.