Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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231. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if each local authority is required to have in place a housing and disability steering group; if the names and contact details of the members of local authority housing and disability steering groups are required to be in the public domain; if the agenda and minutes of housing and disability steering group meetings should be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55931/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I launched the second joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027, on 14 January 2022 together with Minister O’Brien and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability.The new Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years.

The Housing and Disability Steering Groups (HDSGs) established by all 31 local authorities under the previous Strategy are reaffirmed under the NHSDP 2022-2027 as the most effective forum for delivery of the outcomes of the Strategy at the local level.

HDSGs are chaired by the Directors of Services in the local authority and membership includes representation from the Health Services Executive, Disabled Persons Organisations and Approved Housing Bodies. Publication of minutes, agendas and membership details is a matter for each local authority.

The HDSGs are required under Housing for All to submit a quarterly report on their strategic plans for the housing for disabled people to the Chief Executive and the Strategic Policy Committee.  This requirement is also being incorporated into the Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People. The preparation of the Implementation Plan is at an advanced stage and will be completed by year end.