My Department has engaged with key AHB sector representatives to evaluate a range of potential proposals, including the proposals on reform of the Fair Deal scheme, as a possible means to develop and enhance the AHB sector.
Initial feedback from the sector indicates that there would be limited appeal among AHBs to take part as the proposal is currently structured. The current focus is to seek input from regional and specialist housing providers, to ascertain the feasibility of further developing the proposal.
As stated in my previous reply, the proposals submitted to my Department are complex as they cut across a wide range of social housing and healthcare policy issues and require extensive analysis and consideration.