Ms Gráinne Loughran:

In regard to the legislation, we found the difficulties are less to do with what is in the legislation and more to do with what has been left out. That might be echoed by some members of the committee. We are concerned that the regulatory impact analysis states that the fees to home support providers as part of the licensing will not apply until the system is operational, which is expected to be from 2027. It does not clarify whether that timeline relates to statutory home support in full or just the regulatory system. If it is the latter, we would be concerned about that timeline. The lengthy process that has been gone through in establishing the scheme is something that has been raised.

On the broader area, there is much to be taken into account in regard to personal assistant services and disability services. Our members of the home care coalition would speak with expertise on this. Personal assistant services are not covered under this legislation. It is important that services for older people and people with disabilities are progressed in tandem and we are not leaving gaps in either area. There was a consultation earlier this year on the national policy on adult safeguarding for health and social care services. We recognise there are many moving parts to this. It is the nature of the complexity of the process. However, we urge that all these elements be taken into consideration when looking at the pre-legislative scrutiny and throughout the processes and, as time goes on, on the next Stages as well.