Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise the current and ongoing crisis in home care and the 412 people approved for home care in counties Roscommon and Galway who are not receiving it. Some, of course, receive some level of care and have been approved for more, while others have been approved and are not receiving anything. It is now being reported that some older people are staying in bed all day. Frankly, it is heartbreaking that this is happening in this day and age.

I understand the Minister has established the workforce advisory group, which is welcome. However, I understand the group is not due to report until September.

In the meantime, can immediate measures be put in place through the Minister engaging directly with providers who know the challenges and the solutions? There are issues with pay and terms and conditions. Mileage costs, in particular, have become an issue. The sector is growing commercially but there are no regulations or HIQA standards. I appreciate legislation in this area is under way. Could we have an update on that? This is a very important sector. There is clearly a recruitment and retention crisis and it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible.

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