Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the age friendly strategy; the actions being taken to build on housing options for our ageing population; the funding that has been allocated to address policy aims of housing for the older population as part of budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38430/20]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy helpfully clarified that her question referred to our joint policy statement 'Housing Options for Our Ageing Population' which was published by my Department and the Department of Health in February 2019. This statement builds on policy for the housing of older people as outlined in the National Planning Framework 2040. It sets out forty actions incorporating six principles from which the strategic planning for housing for our ageing population are derived.

An implementation Group, which is representative of the relevant stakeholders, was established to oversee these actions. In addition, four subgroups were established to examine actions from the policy statement under specific work streams.

The first progress report of the implementation group is published on the websites of both Departments and the Group's second report will be published shortly.

A sum of €915,000 has been allocated by my Department for 2021 to fund current and capital expenditure on actions arising from this programme and I will be in a position to consider further funding into the future once I have seen the final recommendations from the group.

The implementation group was scheduled to provide its final report to both Ministers by the end of 2020, however, it was agreed at its meeting in October 2020 to extend the group until March 2021, to take note of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on completing various actions.