Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene to ensure that an agreement reached between unions representing home helps and the Health Service Executive in April 2005 concerning zero hour contracts is honoured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11920/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, for which the Health Service Executive is responsible under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, the Department of Health and Children has asked the parliamentary affairs division of the HSE to arrange for this matter to be investigated and a reply to be issued directly to the Deputy. I recognise the valuable role of the home help service in enabling people who might otherwise need to be cared for in institutional care to remain at home where it is appropriate. I am aware that a high level group has been established, with representatives of the HSE and staff representatives of SIPTU and IMPACT, to address issues pertaining to the standardisation of home help services. The group held its first meeting on 23 March last and further meetings are scheduled.