Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The point is that families come to home support service providers. Politicians make that point all the time. We heard earlier in the witnesses' submission how people are suffering from burnout. In the case of spousal care, people are looking after their loved ones day and night. It was mentioned that people go out to the post office or to the shops to get some headspace if the hours are not together. In its submission SIPTU notes that there are vacancies in different CHO areas. What is the reality of those vacancies not being filled? How does that impact the families on the ground? I ask the witnesses to elaborate on that point.

The other point I wish to raise relates to the announcement of the provision of 5 million extra hours. The witnesses have made the point about there being no administrative supports for management. What does that mean in reality for those hours or for the smooth running of that service if the providers do not have that clerical support? The witnesses have stated that the role of managers is complex and has multiple demands. It is not just about the provision of the hours; it is about the backup package in relation to that. I ask the witnesses to give members a sense of what is involved in that.