Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will introduce incentives to encourage housing downsizing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41679/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to supporting older people to live in their own homes and communities with dignity and independence for as long as possible, as this leads to the best outcomes both for the individual and for society as a whole.

The housing needs of older people are addressed specifically in seven Actions in the Government's new housing plan for the delivery of social, affordable, cost rental and private homes, Housing for All, which was launched last week. These Actions underpin the development of policy options in support of a range of housing and accommodation alternatives for older people including supported housing/housing with care in accordance with the principles of the Joint Policy Statement, "Housing Options for Our Ageing Population". This policy statement was published by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Health in 2019 and implementation of its 40 Actions will be supported by the provisions of Housing for All. A number of these are concerned with rightsizing and work is ongoing in relation to these.

The final report of the Implementation Group on the Housing Options for Our Ageing Population Policy Statement will be published by the end of 2021.