Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health the number of companies that are engaged by the Health Service Executive for the provision of home help services; if the HSE maintains a list of eligible companies; if the HSE supports Irish small and medium enterprises; the way this policy fits with the Government's Action Plan for Jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50723/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing delays home helps are experiencing in being vetted by An Garda Síochána; the efforts being made to tackle this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50724/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to make home help services and companies subject to investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; the standards or legislative requirements that must be met by companies offering home help services; his views on the profits being made in this sector; the minimum wage that must be paid to those providing home help services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50725/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All relevant implications arising from this proposal will obviously have to be taken into account including, for example, recent reports by the Law Reform Commission in relation to various aspects of professional Home Care and Carers in general.

Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. The question of possible changes to legislation, including regulation and inspection, for Home Care services for older people is at present under consideration. The Department is examining this matter in the overall context of the licensing of Health Care providers. Legislation is currently being prepared and various options are being considered, including the complex legal issues involved, and the need to prioritise legislation across the Social Care area overall.

Statutory regulation or licensing is only one way of improving the safety and quality of services and that other measures have or are being taken to improve Home Support services delivered by, or on behalf of, the Health Service Executive (HSE). This approach is reflected in the HSE Service Plan 2012, and includes a new public Procurement Framework for Home Care services (with quality and screening requirements); new National Quality Guidelines for Home Support Services, and new National Home Help Guidelines . These various measures, taken together, have been designed to improve relevant aspects of HSE Home Care provision nationally, pending progression of the legislative proposals raised by the Deputy. In particular, non-statutory agencies at present providing Home Care on behalf of the HSE must comply with the criteria laid down under the current procurement arrangements including, for example, service level agreements.

The Deputy will be aware that, outside of the existing procurement arrangements that the HSE has with certain non-statutory providers, these providers, or others, may compete in a growing sector in relation to Home Care for Older People. Such companies would obviously be subject to the normal requirements governing the operation of business, including those governing profits and minimum wage.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if the review of the provision of home help and home support packages in counties Louth and Meath has been completed; the number of hours of home care supports that have been cut as a result of this review; if he will provide a breakdown of the home help hours or home support packages that have been cut as a result of this review; if he will provide a comparison of the amount of home care packages and home help hours provided in counties Louth and Meath in 2011 and the number currently being provided following the completion of the review [50730/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.