Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that. What she said about the permits is interesting because when my son's service collapsed in 2021 I tried to get a sense from the different care providers about what the issue was. Initially they thought it might have been Covid-related, which might have had a chilling effect. However that is definitely a positive development. That will help. To reiterate, the model offered by such groups as Home Care Direct is actually working. I know because we had no problem recruiting my son's carers. It is very flexible. The carers are very happy. They are all Garda vetted and qualified. That is provided through the Higher Education Authority but the HSE will not deal with them because there is no service level agreement. All that is required is for them to draw up the service level agreement and then this can be part of that landscape. It will have an immediate, positive effect. There is no cost implication for the Department. This is about trying get the HSE to draw up the service level agreement. If I can assist in any way in regard to introducing someone from the HSE I will. The HSE knows the key stakeholders. It is a matter of exerting some moral pressure in order to get this over the line. I appreciate the Minister of State's comments.