James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The framework for the HCA provision intended that education and training needs be provided by employers, with employees to be given access to funded educational programmes to gain the required level of qualifications as part of paid employment. Given the mix of public, private and voluntary providers in the nursing home sector, it is important to ensure that there is a common validated framework of minimum standards, clinical career pathways and qualifications for staff. The Covid-19 nursing homes expert panel review recommended at all healthcare assistants should have a relevant QQI level 5 qualification or be working towards achieving it. It should be noted that under the Government's Skills to Advance initiative, the level 5 qualifications in healthcare, including the level 5 healthcare support and level 5 health service skills qualifications, are available to employers and employees within the private nursing home sector to achieve the required standard under the new framework at no cost or a low cost.

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