Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher for highlighting this most important issue. As I said, we see this issue in all of our constituencies. The number of home support hours provided in communities is increasing in line with enhanced investment. Delivering this enhanced capacity requires substantial recruitment. The recruitment process has been affected by the strategic workforce challenges in the home support sector. Therefore, it is our ongoing objective to meet the continued increased demand. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has established an advisory group to examine the relevant issues, including the obstacles to recruiting carers, and to make recommendations. The group, which is engaging with key stakeholders, will publish its report in September. I look forward to its publication. In addition, work to progress the development of a new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services continues. Taking place in the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms, the work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme, the examination of options for the financing model for the scheme, and the development of a reformed model of service delivery. I thank the Senator again for raising this important issue.