Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
223. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority run rightsizing schemes that are in place for owner-occupiers nationally to support the housing needs of older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37526/26]
View answerGovernment is committed to increasing housing available to older people to facilitate ageing in place with dignity and independence and to supporting rightsizing on a voluntary basis. The Government’s new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, includes measures which will increase delivery of housing for older people through increased delivery of social housing, increased delivery of more suitable homes and choice in private housing and increased choice to support voluntary rightsizing.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities will increase choice for older people to voluntarily rightsize including through advancing consideration of the availability of bridging finance to support rightsizing, a review of the operation of existing local authority financial contribution schemes and supporting social housing tenants who wish to rightsize to more suitable accommodation.
I understand that existing financial contribution schemes in place in some local authorities are non-statutory and therefore a matter for the individual local authorities. Consideration will be given to the review of the operation of existing local authority financial contribution schemes and my Department is advancing these measures now incorporated in the new housing plan, including the implementation of these commitments through an action plan that is currently being prepared by my Department. It is expected that the action plan will be advanced in the first half of this year.
