Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 or 23 March 2006 if the high level working group has progressed the issues pertaining to the standardisation of the home help service including the issuing of contracts of employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22053/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) recognises and acknowledges the important services provided by personnel working throughout the home help service nationally and is committed to reviewing the existing models of services provided with a view to establishing a standardised high quality service that will benefit both clientele and staff.

In order to give effect to this commitment a high level working group comprising of representatives of the Health Service Executive, IMPACT and SIPTU have agreed to commence a process based on the partnership model and the following terms of reference have been agreed:- To review existing models/structures of home help services to address issues pertaining to the standardisation of services to include inter alia:

1.The demands being placed on the services through the implementation of the home help agreement.

2.Outstanding issues pertaining to the implementation of the home help agreement.

3.Clarification on the nature of the service to be provided by home helps.

4.Explicit and agreed criteria for the assessment of need.

5.Standard criteria for entitlement.

6.Contractual service agreements with the voluntary organisations.

7.National guideline provisions for level of service provisions and the assessment of needs.

8.Recognition of the home help service as a service in its own right.

9.The role and status of home help organisers within this service.

10.The terms and conditions of home help organisers and other support staff employed by voluntary organisations.

A plan of work has been agreed by the parties in order to give effect to the agreed terms of reference. The high level group met yesterday, Wednesday 7 June 2006, to review progress and establish a number of subgroups to further progress tasks associated with the terms of reference.