Harris welcomes progress on housing strategy for people with disabilities
Posted April 21st, 2011 in Dáil Work, Disability
Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Simon Harris, today welcomed the Minister for Housing’s confirmation that the draft housing strategy for people with disabilities will be completed before the Dáil summer recess.
Responding to Deputy Harris’ parliamentary question on the issue, Minister for Housing, Willie Penrose, said that the draft housing strategy is at an advanced stage and he intends to complete this work and seek Government endorsement for the strategy before the summer.
Deputy Harris has welcomed this move and said; ‘For far too long, people with disabilities have been overlooked in terms of having a national government housing strategy. I am pleased that in government, we are now determined to rectify this and I look forward to the implementation of this plan so that we can set about how we, as a State, can address the housing needs of people with disabilities.’
Note: Parliamentary Question and Answer below
To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the national housing strategy for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Simon Harris.
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 6th April, 2011.
Ref No: 6966/11
REPLY
Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. W. Penrose):
The draft housing strategy for people with a disability sets out a framework for the proposed delivery of housing for people with disabilities through mainstream housing policy. The strategy has been developed in conjunction with a National Advisory Group, chaired by my Department and involving the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, local authorities, organisations representing people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders, including the National Disability Authority.
The draft housing strategy is at an advanced stage and I intend, with my colleague the Minister of State for Disability, Equality and Mental Health, to complete this work and to seek Government endorsement for the strategy before the Summer.
The strategy has been developed in conjunction with a National Advisory Group, chaired by the Department of Environment and involving the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, local authorities, organisations representing people with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders – including the National Disability Authority.