Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding housing options (details supplied). [2405/11]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter for individual housing authorities to assess the specific social housing needs and priorities in their areas, including those for adults with a physical or intellectual disability, and to identify a range of housing options to meet such needs. In line with the Government's housing policy statement, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, the development of a national housing strategy for people with a disability is underway and is expected to be finalised early in 2011. The overarching aim of the strategy is to facilitate access for people with disabilities to an appropriate range of housing and related support services, delivered in an integrated and sustainable manner which promotes equality of opportunity, individual choice and independent living. The strategy will, inter alia, address the specific housing needs of people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Progress has also been made on the development of a suite of protocols to provide a strategic framework for inter-agency co-operation between housing authorities and the Health Service Executive in relation to the delivery of services for people with disabilities. A protocol governing the coordination of capital and revenue funding for projects provided by approved housing bodies and the individual housing needs of people with a mental health disability has been completed and is expected to be implemented shortly. A final protocol in relation to the strategic assessment of the housing needs of people with a disability will be developed during 2011.

In addition to standard social housing options by way of local authority lettings, the rental accommodation scheme and the social leasing initiative, a wide range of supports is also provided to meet the specific accommodation needs of people with a disability. These include a range of measures under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, adaptation works to local authority houses and up to 100% grants to support the provision of specific accommodation by voluntary housing bodies. Notwithstanding the more constrained fiscal environment, meeting the housing needs of the most vulnerable sections of society, including persons with a disability, will continue to be prioritised by Government.