Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Recruitment and training pose a very serious challenge for us. There is a shortage of people and we are finding it difficult to attract qualified personnel into the sector. Under Sláintecare, we have committed to have a new scheme by 2021. I have committed to unveil the design of that scheme and answer all these questions in January 2020, six months from now. When I came to office, we carried out extensive consultation involving academics. We also looked abroad at best international practice.

We continue to do in the background considerable work to create a new system in its entirety, guaranteed by statute, mirrored on the fair deal scheme which would guarantee delivery for those who need it. As I have said previously, if I tried to fix it piece by piece, I or my successor would spend the next ten years struggling and trying to react to the issues. We want to introduce an entirely new scheme with training and recruitment as part of that.

It is up to the CHO management to deal with the issue of the hours individually and, working through the unions representing the home help workers, reach an agreement that is acceptable. I take the Deputy's point that someone doing four hours' work will not be paid for four hours' travel. I will tease that issue out with the HSE next week to get further information. A number of local arrangements are being made.

See this speech in context