Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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67. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to provide persons with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder suitable social or affordable housing. [55160/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Government is determined to ensure that housing policy addresses the needs of those who experience exclusion in our society, including those with disabilities. The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2016-2021, which is a joint Strategy with the Department of Health provides that people with disabilities, including those in the community, and those in congregated settings, may access housing supports on an equal basis with other citizens.

The current Strategy runs to the end of this year.  Development of a new joint Strategy to 2027 is underway and has involved two consultation phases with a research phase running in parallel with the first consultation phase. A new joint Strategy will be in place by 1 January 2022. 

The new Strategy is being developed within the framework of the overarching housing plan Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland  which was launched in September targeting delivery of more homes for people with different housing needs, including delivery of over 10,000 new social homes per year to 2030. Specifically for people with disabilities, the Plan prioritises the delivery of an appropriate range of housing types and related support services in an integrated and sustainable manner promoting equality of opportunity, individual choice and independent living.

There is ongoing and extensive engagement with all local authorities across all delivery streams to ensure maximum delivery of homes for those who need them. I meet regularly with local authorities and I know that they are committed to ensuring that housing is provided to all eligible applicants as speedily as possible and that the support needs of applicants are appropriately assessed.