Mr. Robert Deegan:

It is part of the national procurement framework. As I mentioned previously, it was introduced in 2012 for external providers of home care packages and incorporates quality standards of governance and accountability, person-centred care, complaints management, and training and qualifications. The framework is monitored through the SLA with the HSE requiring providers to provide a range of information on the services they provide with regard to principles of service delivery, confidentiality, the complaints procedure, consent, staff training, governance and management, and workforce-related matters. Under the framework, providers are supervised through regular local operating meetings and reviews of clients' care plans. The purpose of these measures is to promote quality and safety, and ensure a more standardised approach to service provision nationally. I will go back to something mentioned earlier, which has come up a couple of times about the work at peak hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. That is often where private providers come in. There is a bigger demand for services at particular times and that can be where HSE services are supplemented by external service providers, whether voluntary or private providers.