Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the exclusion of personal assistants from this scheme, I am trying to understand the thinking behind this. Ms Larthwell made a point about in the home or not in the home or in the community. When we talk about home care, it is in an institution or for a person in his or her home but that does not mean it is within his or her own home. It is for people who are living at home as opposed to living in institutions. Many home care workers take older people out for walks around the local area, which is very much in their interest, and, equally, many personal assistants provide care within the home so it is very hard to understand why personal assistants have been excluded. Has the Department considered the fact that some providers may re-categorise the staff they have in order to avoid regulation? Does Ms Larthwell accept that there is the potential for that.