About The House (s6/e12)

On Site – Kirk
This week we are back at Diane Kirks project in Gort, Co. Galway. After much research into affordable, quality housing, Diane, hired a German crew to build her a timber-framed house, made with healthy, natural and quality products. This is our second time to feature this story and since the first programme a few weeks ago there has been huge interest shown in the project. Obviously this project has hit a chord with the Irish public. There are a number of reasons for this interest. It could be the efficiency of the German crew, who had the house erected in two and a half days; it could also be the quality of the products used and the quality of the workmanship or the price, which offers very good value for money. Either way, Diane herself is delighted with the results so far and is getting on famously with Martin, the builder and the crew. On this visit, Diane’s house is getting the finishing touches. Her furniture is arriving and she has had an accessible stone sloping path built up to her front door. Duncan finds out about Diane’s environmentally friendly wastewater treatment system. This is our last visit to Diane and we wrap up all the loose ends with her and the German crew as they start thinking about heading home……..

Ballymun Update
Earlier in the series we were following the stories of a group of residents who were building their own houses in Ballymun, with the help of the International charitable foundation ‘Habitat for Humanity’. In this piece we talk to them, and to Ballymun Regeneration Limited about the local amenities that are currently being put in place for the community. In particular, we take a look at ‘Coultry Park’ and the new Coultry neighbourhood centre.
Facilities are fundamentally important for the healthy growth and development of a community. It’s generally accepted now that a lack of relevant infrastructure was a major problem in the old Ballymun. Ballymun Regeneration Ltd is determined not to let this happen again. Both amenities were developed after major consultation with residents and local community groups. The park will feature a full size soccer pitch along side a 5 a side, terraced area including a basketball court. There will be three play areas for different age groups, a plaza, a walk/jog path and relaxation areas.
The neighbourhood centre will include shops, community rooms, a crèche and private apartments

Elderly and IT in the Home
Most of us don’t consider our needs in old age when we are buying a house. However, a little careful consideration about the design and layout of your home can make the difference between you having to move out of your home and maybe into a nursing home and you being able to live out your final years in your own home. For example, you may need wider doors and hallways if you are in a wheelchair. Things like including a downstairs bathroom when the house is getting built could again save you from having to move out. These days of course there are many ways you can adapt your home for your needs in later life, and of course there are many technologies out there that can help older people lead a more independent life. These items range from high tech and expensive to very low-tech simple gadgets that are cheap to buy. These gadgets can have an impact on our safety and security; as well as helping us carry out tasks around the house with reduced mobility. Of course more and more elderly people are getting to know computers, email and the Internet and this opens a whole knew world for them. There are so many things they can do on the net that they would otherwise have to go out for and the Internet can keep people connected to their community. This piece takes a look at all these issues in the context of older people in their homes.