Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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847. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the key priorities in 2015 of the national housing strategy for people with a disability; the progress made in achieving these priorities in the first half of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28372/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2011 – 2016 and the associated National Implementation Framework are joint publications my Department and the Department of Health. These documents set out the Government’s broad framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy. They were developed as part of a coherent framework, in conjunction with the Government’s mental health policy, A Vision for Change, the Report of the Working Group on Congregated Settings and the Value for Money Review of Disability Services, to support people with disabilities within community based living with maximum independence and choice. Implementation of the Strategy is being driven primarily by the Housing Agency which has a key role in overseeing the rollout of the Implementation Framework and ensuring uniformity of approach at local level. A dedicated Housing Subgroup chaired by the Housing Agency was established in 2012 to progress implementation. The Subgroup includes representatives from my Department, the HSE, Department of Health, local authorities, the Irish Council for Social Housing and various disability organisations. As regards 2015 priorities, work is ongoing to progress the transitioning of individuals from congregated settings. Two task groups, reporting to and overseen by the main Subgroup, have been established to progress the priority actions of the NHSPWD, one in relation to mental health and one relating to actions for individuals with a disability living in the community.

In line with the priority action to achieve a coordinated approach to service delivery, housing authorities are required to establish Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) in each county/city council area to facilitate integrated and timely responses to the housing needs of people with disabilities. The Steering Groups are chaired by Directors of Housing Services and include representation from the HSE and key disability sectors. The majority of housing authorities have now established HDSGs, with support and guidance provided by the Housing Agency. It is expected that all HDSGs will be up and running in the coming months.

The preparation and delivery of a Strategic Plan in each county/city area is a key task for the Steering Groups. As part of the priority action to ensure equitable access for people with disabilities, housing authorities must develop specific local strategies to meet the identified needs of people with disabilities. The 5-year Strategic Plans will be informed by the identified housing needs and by broader formalised consultation with relevant statutory agencies, service user groups and disability organisations. The strategies will form an integral part of the local authority Housing Service Plans and will promote and support the delivery of accommodation for people with disabilities using all appropriate housing supply mechanisms. Around two thirds of the Strategic Plans have been received to date and are currently being collated by the Housing Agency into a draft National Plan. The Housing Agency is following up on those not yet received. These actions, set out in the NHSPWD, are reinforced in the Social Housing Strategy 2020.