Ms Aideen Carberry:

I thank Deputy Lahart. As per our submission, there is already quite a substantial voluntary sector providing home support. However, that sector is not providing similar terms and conditions as our colleagues in the HSE have. We addressed that somewhat in our submission. Providers have cited the tendering process, whereby they are in competition with private providers, as creating a difficulty for them in terms of maintaining the terms and conditions of employment and the recruitment and retention of staff.