Beggs welcomes ‘concrete proposals’ on supportive living

Mr Beggs, who recently attended a meeting with the Stakeholder Advisory Panel for the project, indicated the business case for the new investment has been successfully submitted to the NI Supportive Living Group.

The Ulster Unionist representative had previously criticised the lack of progress on the scheme following the announcement three years ago that Greenisland House was to close.

“It was useful to learn of the work that has been carried out in the background, but I and constituents have been concerned that three years was an excessively long time before some concrete proposals have emerged regarding new supportive living accommodation in Greenisland,” he said.

“I am pleased that following the work of the stakeholder group for the Greenisland site, the current business case to cater for 12 high dependency, 12 medium dependency and 12 low dependency clients has finally emerged and some progress is being made.”

The news was also welcomed by chair of the Carrickfergus Older People’s Forum, Councillor Beryl McKnight, who served on the Stakeholder Advisory Panel.

“I have no doubt that by viewing and learning from a number of exemplary supportive housing developments elsewhere, and by addressing the growing needs older clients in the design brief, that a local state-of-the-art facility should be possible,” she said.

“The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety are moving towards greater and greater reliance on domiciliary care where the elderly and infirm receive support in their own homes. I believe that for some additional supportive housing accommodation is more appropriate so that support can be at hand should assistance be required.”

Meanwhile, Mr Beggs called for a Housing Association to be appointed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in order to take the project forward and submit a formal planning application.

“Until planning approval has been gained and precise funding ring-fenced, there will not be certainty of that new investment for additional supportive living accommodation,” he said.

“With the growing older population I believe that there is an increasing need for supportive housing and have been pressing for that investment locally.”