John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the person who provides accreditation to agencies wishing to train health care workers and para-professionals; if her attention has been drawn to agencies operating without this accreditation; the steps she is taking to ensure that controls in this area are put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8386/05]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the regulatory controls which are in place for training home helps, nursing assistants and axillary nurses; if she has any plans to introduce such controls to ensure quality of care for members of the public. [8387/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the HSE is required, to the extent practicable and necessary to enable it to perform its functions, to facilitate the education and training of its employees and the employees of service providers.

My Department has been advised by the Health Service Executive that the training of nursing assistants and auxiliaries is comprehended by the national training programme for health care assistants. This training is designed to equip these staff with the skills and competencies required to ensure quality of care for members of the public. The training programme is accredited by the Further Education and Training Awards Council. It is understood that all training undertaken, to date, has been sourced from recognised educational providers, primarily the centres for nurse education.

A national process has been commenced by the Health Service Executive to identify, using focus groups, the skills and competencies necessary for the grade of home help. Following the completion of this work, appropriate training and education interventions will be designed and implemented by the HSE. It is envisaged that this training will be subject to similar quality controls as apply to the health care assistant training programme.

The Deputy may be aware that it is the responsibility of each individual employer to ensure that staff are appropriately skilled and competent to carry out effectively and safely the responsibilities of their roles. In this context, it would be expected that training needs identified by the employer are met using recognised educational providers.