Mr. Ed Murphy:

The question was about where we will get 25,000 carers. Ms Metcalfe has covered a number of elements of it. In terms of where we will get them, changes in social welfare rules would mean somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people could be brought back into the sector. In the agricultural sector, there was a possibility of being able to get more people into the country. About 30% of carers are foreign nationals. We need to open up the possibility of getting more into the country and we need to make it easier. There is no question about it. That will certainly increase the supply of carers. Ms Metcalfe made the point about how commissioning done at the moment with half-hour shifts or one-hour shifts and no pay for travel is an issue. It is a job that should be attractive and wonderful. The people doing the caring are wonderful people. I agree they are not being valued in a number of cases. They are not being trained properly in a number of cases. They are not being supported in a number of cases. Regulation is very necessary to make sure all carers are properly respected. More training and support is required.

Home care has a vital part to play in the overall healthcare continuum. In other countries, home carers are moving up the ranks in terms of providing healthcare, but that needs training. If, with the aid of technology in the home, not only home care but home healthcare is provided, that can greatly influence and contribute to the overall healthcare system, but that needs investment by providers, companies and the HSE. It will give better jobs to carers. To go back to Ms Metcalfe's point, with current commissioning of half-hour and one-hour shifts and travel, there are huge inefficiencies and it does not allow block contracts which would keep more people in the industry for longer. That is very important. Regulation in all its forms is very much required.