Page 51 of the programme for Government sets out an objective: "Task local authorities to work with ... [various stakeholders] and Age Friendly Ireland on the development/redevelopment of older-person housing." Every effort must be made to ensure that older people live in their communities for as long as possible. I am thinking of my 90-year-old uncle and his wife, who live independently in the town of Portarlington in County Laois. There are many others who would love to live in their communities and we must consider their needs when planning housing developments and devising county development plans. It cannot be a case of out of sight, out of mind. What discussions have taken place with local authorities to advance the cause of public and affordable homes for our older people?

I might ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to give the Deputy a full reply. He will be able to give a better response than I can. Ensuring more housing is built that is suitable for older people is part of the Government's programme, in particular easily accessible housing that is near the centres of villages or towns, services, churches and shops, thus allowing older people to move to that accommodation and free up their current housing, which is often family housing that could more appropriately be made available to families.