Speech at Launch of Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge

Address by Mr. Damien English, T.D.

Minister of State

at the Rebuilding Ireland – Launch of Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge

on Tuesday, 31 January 2017 at 10:40 a.m.

at the Department of the Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Conference Room, Custom House, Dublin 1

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here this morning to launch the Rebuilding Ireland – Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge. As many of you are aware I announced, last September, at the National Ploughing Championships, that I had provided €100,000 in prize money to support the Design Challenge and today’s launch is the culmination of many months of hard work by the Design Challenge Steering Group, which is chaired by my Department.

At the outset, it is important to reiterate that homelessness and the acute shortage of homes available to those who need them is one of the greatest challenges facing this country today. It is having a profound effect on the daily lives of many individuals and families who feel they have been failed by the system and who urgently require homes.

As I have said before, the Government and I have made it our number one priority to resolve the housing and homelessness crisis and under “Rebuilding Ireland” we have set out a broadly based and comprehensive set of actions to do just that. However we cannot implement this plan without the collaboration and assistance of our partners in industry, our NGO’s and the wider public sector. This Design Challenge is a strong example of that collaboration.

Housing in Ireland and Rebuilding Ireland as a solution to the challenges

• As you may be aware “Rebuilding Ireland” sets out a practical and readily implementable set of actions that will increase housing supply to create a functioning and sustainable housing system that is capable of: –

• Providing homes for families in emergency accommodation;

• Tackling the underlying causes, addiction and otherwise, of people living on our streets;

• Producing a minimum of 25,000 housing units nation-wide every year by 2020;

• Responding post-2020 to meet future housing needs;

• Delivering more social housing, much faster, and putting in place financially sustainable mechanisms to meet current and future requirements for social housing supports.

• Since taking up this Ministry, I have seen daily the negative impacts that the housing shortage is having on our people and their families and how the whole system is struggling to cope and devise solutions.
• “Rebuilding Ireland” is, I believe, a really good starting point to resolve these problems. Our commitment of €5.35 billion will go a long way to providing much needed social housing and the €200m infrastructure fund should unlock the potential of key sites to deliver thousands of homes for the market.

• The Government has set out ambitious targets for the delivery of social housing supports over the lifetime of Rebuilding Ireland. Last year, over 18,300 social housing supports were provided across a range of delivery programmes. Within this, preliminary data show that around 5,280 new social houses were either purchased, leased, remediated or built by local authorities and approved housing bodies across the country using a range of funding mechanisms and delivery programmes.

 Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge

In addition to the actions aimed at the accelerated delivery of quality housing and a more responsive housing market, Pillar 2 of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, contains specific commitments to meet the housing needs of the vulnerable, which includes our older people.

As with many of the themes within Rebuilding Ireland, addressing the needs of older people will require cross-Departmental and inter-agency co-operation and collaboration. In this regard, the commitments in the Action Plan are complementary to the objectives of the Programme for Actions for Smart Ageing published by the Department of the Taoiseach in April last year.

The National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS), published in 2013, also provides a framework for cooperation to address age-related policy and service delivery across Government and society in the years ahead. This Strategy is intended to promote older people’s health and well-being so that older people can continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and family life in their own communities for as long as possible, thereby representing a vision for an age-friendly society.

The Strategy also highlights that ageing is not just a health issue, but rather requires a whole of Government approach to address a range of social, economic and environmental factors that affect the health and wellbeing of our ageing citizens.

The ageing of our population represents one of the most significant demographic and societal developments that Ireland faces in the years ahead, with the number of people over the age of 65 expected to reach 1.4 million by 2041.

Across this same period, the number over the age of 80 is set to quadruple, from 128,000 in 2011 to some 480,000.

The implications for public policy in areas such as housing, health and urban and rural planning are considerable.

Government policy is to support older people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

In terms of cost effectiveness, home care costs in Ireland are estimated to be consistently lower than hospitalisation. For many, living in adapted or specialist housing reduces reliance on health and social care services and can result in measurably improved health status and lower rates of hospital admissions, while also contributing to a greater sense of well-being among our older population.

Smart ageing is a broad concept that has been largely defined as using technology and innovation in both the public and private sectors to design and produce products, services, solutions, and systems to improve the quality of life of people ages 50 and over.

Adaptable and smart homes will be the future in the developed world with advantages from saving energy to creating homes suitable for a lifetime. This Design Challenge presents an opportunity to develop the know-how and commercialise the knowledge of smart ageing adaptation to support assisted living for older people in their homes.

In terms of housing there are collaborative approaches already underway involving local authorities; the HSE; the Department of Health and NGO’s (such as Age Friendly Ireland). For example, the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme, which provides a local multi-agency collaborative structure in partnership with older people, with local authorities taking the lead on changing thinking about ageing, and how services are planned and delivered.

The Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge aims to stimulate and encourage the design and construction industries to be innovative in designing and delivering housing solutions for older people and implements Action 2.19 of Rebuilding Ireland.

This Design Challenge, focuses on three distinct areas: –

• smart technologies in housing for older people;

• adaptation of existing houses to meet the needs of older people; and

• life-time communities.

As I mentioned earlier, my Department, established a steering group comprising the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design which is part of the National Disability Authority, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, the Construction Industry Federation, Enterprise Ireland and Dublin City Council.

This steering group, in consultation with stakeholder groups and other interested parties, has developed a comprehensive Design Challenge brief for the competition

This brief sets out clearly how to participate, what is required of potential entrants, and of course details regarding the awarding of prize money amounting to €100,000 that I announced late last year to support this “Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge”.

Conclusion

Returning to a normally functioning housing and construction sector is critically important in order to support economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability which will benefit all of our citizens irrespective of age, size or disability.

While the Government is acting, the challenge does not stop there. It is vital that, as the 84 actions to facilitate house building are implemented, local authorities, approved housing bodies, voluntary bodies, builders and developers proactively respond to the housing supply challenge.

The “Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge” is a small but key element of the Rebuilding Ireland solution.

I urge everyone involved in its implementation and those of you here today, to use your networks, contacts and organisations to promote and highlight the Design Challenge in order to elicit support and to invite entries from as many of our talented innovators as possible.

I call on anyone with a novel and inventive idea that can be further presented as a solution; that is feasible, cost effective and has the potential for mainstreaming into the future in support of smart ageing solutions to participate.

With this in mind, I hereby officially launch the “Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge” and would like to wish those who take part in the Challenge, every success. I also look forward to seeing the winning ideas and solutions incorporated into the future delivery of good quality housing to those who need it.

Calling all Meath West designers and innovators!

Minister English launches the Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge

Today (31 January 2017) Damien English T.D., Minister for Housing and
Urban Renewal, launched the 2017 Homes for Smart Ageing Universal
Design Challenge. An initiative under the Rebuilding Ireland programme
(Action 2.19), the challenge aims to stimulate and encourage the
design and construction industries to be innovative in designing and
delivering housing solutions for older people.

Speaking at today’s launch, Minister English commented on the ageing
of Ireland’s population as representing one of the most significant
demographic and societal developments in the years ahead. He added
that, “with the number of people over the age of 65 expected to reach
1.4 million by 2041, the implications for public policy in areas such
as housing, health and urban and rural planning are considerable. This
challenge is aimed at harnessing novel and innovative ideas that will
improve the quality of life for older persons,in the context of
Rebuilding Ireland and the Programme of Actions for Smart Ageing.”

“To borrow a phrase, ‘we want to inspire people to think differently’
commented Ger Craddock, Chief Officer of the Centre for Excellence in
Universal Design. An expanding, ageing population, is a growing global
challenge, but one that can be tackled through new and innovative
thinking. We expect the talent in Ireland to demonstrate how simple
ideas can change people’s lives and benefit society as a whole.”

While primarily of interest to designers, the competition is open to
all. €100,000 worth of prizes is on offer, with five €10,000 awards
for commended entries after Round 1 and the grand prize of €50,000 for
the ultimate winner. The winning idea would be expected to make a
significant impact on Irish society, using universal design principles
to create products, services, solutions, and systems to improve the
quality of life for older persons in Ireland and ultimately, all of
us.  The winning entry should also be cost-effective, with the
potential for mainstreaming, in support of smart-ageing solutions, in
the areas of:

• Smart technologies in housing for older people, and/or;
• Adaptation of existing houses to meet the need of older people, and/or;
• Life-time communities.

The competition was launched in the Custom House today, 31 January,
and will be open for entries until the 13 March, 2017. All entries are
submitted online through the website,
www.homesforsmartageing-ud.com(link is external).

ENDS

About Rebuilding Ireland
Designed to accelerate housing supply in this country, Rebuilding
Ireland is tackling our country’s housing shortage. This action-driven
plan will result in a dramatic increase in the delivery of homes
nationwide. Ambitious and imaginative in its reach, and radical in its
approach, this plan will address the needs of homeless people and
families in emergency accommodation, accelerate the provision of
social housing, deliver more housing, utilise vacant homes and improve
the rental sector.

Backed by funding of €5.55 billion, Rebuilding Ireland is designed to
significantly increase the supply of social housing by 47,000, double
the output of overall housing to at least 25,000 homes per annum by
2021, service all tenure types (social, private and rental), and
tackle homelessness comprehensively. The wide-ranging plan seeks to
address all aspects of the housing system under Five Pillars:

• Address Homelessness
• Accelerate Social Housing
• Build More Homes
• Improve the Rental Sector
• Utilise Existing Housing

Rebuilding Ireland is available on www.rebuildingireland.ie(link is
external)  (link is external)
Follow us on Twitter for regular updates: @RebuildingIrl  #RebuildingIreland

About Universal Design
Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so
that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent
possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability.
This includes public places in the built environment such as
buildings, streets or spaces that the public have access to; products
and services provided in those places; and systems that are available
including information and communications technology (ICT).
(Disability Act, 2005)

Minister English says €44 million investment in Tara Mines is “a vote of confidence in Navan and in Meath”

Monday, 16th January 2017

The official confirmation of news last week that the Swedish owners of
Tara Mines, Boliden, intend to invest €44 million in the facility to
allow operations to continue up to 2026 and secrue 700 local jobs is “a vote of confidence
in Navan and in Meath” according to local Fine Gael T.D. and Minister
for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien English. “This is a good day for
our town and County, and for the workers” he said.

As a former Minister for Skills, Research and innovation from 2014 to
2016, the local Minister also wished to emphasise and compliment the
role that collaborative research and innovation between Science
Foundation Ireland and industry partners like Boliden had played in
making the investment happen.

“Boliden are an industry collaborator with the Science Foundation
Ireland iCRAG Research Centre and this new exploration find was part
of their collaborative research efforts. This is a great example of
the significant impact on our local and national economy and jobs,
that can come from collaborative research.  We need more research like
this both locally and nationally to ensure we continue to future proof
our economy and make it fit for the challenges of the 21st century”
Minister English said.

“Whilst local authorities and Governments do not create jobs, they are
crucial players in creating the right environment for jobs and
investment to thrive.  In that respect the Boliden announcement is an
endorsement of our strategies locally and nationally to make Meath a
destination of choice to invest in, start a business in, and live in.
Such strategies include the Meath County Council Economic Development
Plan, the National and Regional Action Plans for Jobs, and Horizon
2020 – our new science strategy launched during my time in the
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation” concluded Minister
English.

ENDS

Launch of the Meath Local Economic Community Plan for Meath

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Speech by Minister Damien English T.D. at the Launch of the Meath Local Economic Community Plan for Meath

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Welcome: –

• TDs,
• Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Maria Murphy
• Councillors
• Chief Executive Meath County Council, Jackie Maguire
• Chair of the Meath LCDC, Sinead Smith

 

Part I – Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are here tonight for the launch of the Meath Local Economic and Community Plan. And also to acknowledge the achievements of those who have worked tirelessly to bring these important plans to this stage.

 

• The 2014 Local Government Reform Act provided local authorities with the legislation in relation to the establishment and operation of Local Community and Development Committees (LCDC).
• One of the primary functions of the LCDC is to develop, implement and monitor a six year Local Economic and Community plan for the county.

• Nationally there are 31 plans, all prepared by the LCDC in each county and adopted by each county council. Such is their importance I was delighted to take part in their National Launch a few months ago which was an opportunity to recognise all the hard work involved.

• At the very heart of these plans is the desire to improve community well-being and quality of life.

• Each plan sets out objectives and actions in the areas of:

 

• economic development,
• social inclusion and community development
• health and wellbeing,
• rural and urban regeneration,
• investment and infrastructure needed to promote and support the local community development of their county over the six years.

 

• Economic development and community development while separate functions, are mutually supportive in creating strong communities and local economies.

 

• Those of us involved in this area – whether as volunteers, officials or elected representatives – will be acutely aware of the myriad of reports over the past 20 years that have called for a more joined-up approach to local service delivery.

 

• Those working at a more local level in our communities, and indeed communities themselves, have experienced first-hand the need for Government and local agencies to better coordinate their efforts and resources.

 

• Whichever side you’ve been on, one thing is agreed, there is plenty of room for improvement.

 

• Now, for the first time, we have a planning framework and structures in place to make this happen.

 

• These Local Economic and Community Plans are the ideal mechanism through which this much needed coordination, collaboration and integration can happen.

 

• At the same time, the establishment LCDC provides a forum for meaningful engagement, coordination and dialogue.

 

 

• So, supported by an expanded local authority economic role, a space has been created for central government, local government and communities to:

 

• talk to each other;
• to identify important local economic and social priorities;
• to develop locally agreed solutions for these;

 

• Ultimately, to ensure that it is all delivered in the most effective way possible.   That is, delivered in a way that has the biggest positive impact on people’s lives.

 

Part II – The Plan

• This Plan establishes a blueprint for the development of our county, co Meath. It represents a better and more joined-up way of delivering local services. It brings people together in partnership to consider, decide on and do what is best for our communities. And most importantly, it is based on what our communities (you yourselves) consider to be your priorities and involves you in the development of policies that affect our lives.
• Although the Plan is very much focused on Meath, it is a piece of a much bigger jigsaw. Yes, it is part of a network of Plans that seek to foster and bring about a much needed integration of local service delivery.

 

• The plan has its place in the development of the broader region and the implementation of national policies.

 

• A number of organisations locally will assist with the delivery of these actions. These include public bodies, state agencies and a wide range of local community and voluntary groups.

 

• Through the Public Participation Networks (PPN) the LCDC provide a mechanism by which the community and voluntary sector can meaningfully participate in local development and in the delivery of actions set out in the plan.

 

 

• This plan will also enable the targeting of funding under the management of LCDC partners and other publicly funded agencies.

 

Part III – The Delivery

 

• The delivery of the Local Economic and Community Plans nationally is vital.

 

• The strength and composition of the LCDC plays a major role in the delivery of these actions.

 

• It is the combination of the County Council, agencies, voluntary sector and community groups that are central and best positioned to mobilise relevant groups to deliver the Plan.

 

• It is important that public bodies cooperate with the Meath LCDC as this greatly strengthens the potential to deliver agreed actions in the plan that are ultimately designed to improve the economic, social and cultural aspect of our local areas.

 

• Here in Meath, the LECP was developed jointly by the LCDC and the Council’s Economic SPC.

 

• The preparation involved numerous consultations and workshops with statutory bodies, voluntary agencies, community and voluntary groups, the secretariat of the newly formed PPN and Comhairle na Nóg – the young people’s council – were consulted.

 

• Reading through this plan, and the other county plans which I have read, you can see that they are unique to each area.

 

• They reflect the specific priorities of those areas and, to a smaller extent, the different regions.   That said, there are also broadly similar themes consistent to them all.

 

• They deal with priorities that are important to all communities – be it:
  • Education or the environment
  • integration or youth services
  • health and well-being,
  • tourism and employment.
• All 31 plans reflect an impressive breadth of ambition for their areas.
  • They are all underpinned by a shared vision.
  • They are all products of meaningful engagement and participation by all.
  • They all draw on wealth of assets in their communities

 

Part IV – Actions

 

• Individually of course, they include some exciting and innovative actions.   Actions that show not only local coordination, but also people working together on a regional basis.
• Or actions across all the plans to deliver on the Healthy Ireland strategy, they show a willingness and capacity to work jointly for the good of their local communities.

 

Some actions already achieved in the plan:

 

• Number 1: A new Intreo office was opened in Navan by DSP for employment services and income supports with a range of personalised supports to jobseekers.

 

• Number 2: The Council has commenced a process with DSP of transferring existing rent supplement recipients to the Housing Assistance Programme (HAP)

 

• Number 3: The Council are working with Kells Local Heroes to support the ‘Bigger Picture’ initiative of public seminars to focus on how architecture and design, arts and culture, biodiversity and landscaping can improve a town – Greening of Kells

 

 

• Number 4: The Meath Intercultural Network organised a one stop shop event with the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Various agencies had stands with information on social welfare, housing and voting rights

 

• Number 5: The Navan Healthy Town initiative was rolled out in September for 8 weeks which proved very successful with more groups and the public getting involved in a Healthy Ireland.

 

• Personally speaking, I enjoyed taking part in this. I gave up the biscuits and I focused on running. I completed the Dublin City Marathon in 4 hours and 26 minutes and I am already planning for next year’s race in under 4 hours.

 

• And Number 6: Actions for “renew our communities” and information on communities — the newly formed Public Participation Network has now over 444 groups registered. It also has a website, newsletter and is currently working on a comprehensive litter and waste survey.

 

 

Part V – Conclusion

• To conclude, this plan requires everybody to continue working together, from the agencies to your community or voluntary group, to deliver on these actions set out.
• I wish you every success with the plan, and with completing and adding more actions to achieve along the way.

 

• I want to thank everybody for coming this evening.
  • Barry Lynch, Director of Community and Chief Officer of LCDC and Community section of council.
  • The Agencies for all the information stands today.
  • The LCDC members attending.
  • The Speakers – Cathaoirleach Maria Murphy and Chair of Meath LCDC Sinead Smith
  • All the staff, officials, consultants involved in the preparations, seminars, workshops held in developing the plan.

Once again the progress already made speaks very strongly to the commitment and hard work of all involved. I thank you for this and I look forward to the full implementation over the next five years. Enjoy the rest of the evening.

Minister English highlights Government’s plans for Social Protection in 2017

Monday, 9th January 2017

Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal and local Meath West T.D.
Damien English has welcomed the Partnership Government’s Plans for
2017 with regards to Social Protection, including further reductions
in unemployment, now at its lowest since Summer 2008, and helping
another 20,000 long-term unemployed back to work.

The Meath West T.D. and Minister also wants to see further measures to
help the self-employed, and a reform of the pension sector.

“In 2016 unemployment fell to 7.3%, the lowest
level in 8 years, and government’s target to get 20,000 long-term
unemployed people back into work was surpassed. Other highlights were
the successful introduction of Paternity Benefit with more than 3,500 fathers already
availing of it.  We also secured increases across the board in welfare
payments for people with disabilities, carers, blind people, widows,
one parent families, and jobseekers, as well as for pensioners, and
paid the Christmas bonus at 85%” Minister English stated.

“In the year ahead the focus of the Partnership Government in the area
of Social Protection will be firmly on increasing employment, pension
reform, developing the Working Family Payment to reduce child poverty
and ensure that no family is better off on welfare than in work.  We
will also further develop the New Deal for the Self-Employed by
extending benefits for all PRSI contributors as well as expand School
Meals and tackle fraud” Minister English said.

Some of the priorities highlighted in more detail include:

Employment

Continue to make substantial progress towards the unemployment target
of 5-6% and long term unemployment target of <2.5% and move another
20,000 people from welfare to work in 2017. Publication of the Action
Plan for Jobless Families allowing us to zero in on long-term and
intergenerational unemployment.

Tackle Fraud

Include in the Social Welfare spring or summer bill further reforms to
reduce fraud allied to a public campaign against fraud and to
encourage more reporting.

New Deal for the Self-Employed

Develop proposals to extend more social insurance cover to the
self-employed including a form of jobseekers benefit where a person’s
business fails or they can no longer continue working in their
profession or trade.

Expansion of Social Insurance

Implement the extension of Treatment Benefit to the self-employed,
restoration of dental and optical benefits to all eligible PRSI
contributors in March and October as provided for in the Social
Welfare Act 2016, and examine the extension of social insurance to
cover new risks and contingencies.

School Meals

Expand free school breakfasts to children in all DEIS schools and
35,000 children in non-DEIS schools from September. The aim is to make
the programme available to all schools that want to take part over
time.

Working Family Payment

Develop and consult on options for the introduction of a working
family payment with the twin aims of reducing child poverty and
ensuring that no family is better off on welfare than in work. This
will enable us to put forward proposals for inclusion in Budget 2018.

Action Plan for Pension Reform

Develop, publish and commence the implementation of an Action Plan for
the reform of pensions. This Action Plan will include a road map for
the reform of the State pension, rationalisation and reform of the
Defined Benefit pension landscape, transposition of the IORP2
directive and the introduction of auto-enrolment Defined Contribution
pensions for all working people.

Recalibrate Labour Activation Programmes

Reform and recalibrate local activation programmes like Community
Employment, TÚS and Gateway to reflect the changes in the economy and
labour market, and place a greater focus on social inclusion and those
who find it hardest to secure and hold down a job. Develop and launch
a new work experience programme to replace JobBridge.

ENDS

Minister English welcomes €1,866,495 in ICT funding for Meath and Westmeath schools

Meath West Fine Gael T.D. and Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal
Damien English has welcomed the news that Minister for Education and
Skills, Richard Bruton T.D., has today Tuesday 3rd January 2017
announced he will invest €30m in ICT infrastructure grants for all
primary and post-primary schools in the country.

According to Minister English, today’s investment will be worth €1,202,651 to Meath’s 123 primary and post primary schools and €663,844 to the 89 primary and post primary schools in Westmeath. This is a total of €1,866,495 between the 2 counties. No application is necessary and the payments are being made directly into the schools’ accounts.

Minister English stated: “This investment marks the start of the
implementation of the Government’s new €210 Million Digital Strategy
for Schools. This funding will support the development and
implementation of an eLearning Plan for each school to embed ICT into
teaching and learning. No matter what career a young person
contemplates, there is one thing for sure, digital technology is
revolutionising it. We want our young people in Meath West to be leading
this revolution and have the best prospects in life.”

Notes to Editor

The rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €22.20 per mainstream
pupil in primary schools, with additional per capita payments for
pupils in DEIS schools, Special Classes and Special Schools.

At post-primary, the rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €31.90 per
student, with an additional per capita payment for students in DEIS
schools. The grant is worth approximately €4,000 for a 100 pupil
school and approximately €11,000 for a 500 pupil school at primary
level. At post-primary level, the grant is worth circa €15,000 for a
500 student school, and over €27,000 for a 1,000 student school.

This is not an exhaustive list, and schools will be advised to
consider how best to support an eLearning Plan for their school in
allocating this funding. Advice and support for schools will be
available from the PDST Technology in Education website –
www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie.

Further information about the terms applying to this funding are
available at circular:

http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0001_2017.pdf

ENDS