Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Health the proposed changes to the contracts of full-time carers; his views on whether it is both unfair and unworkable to enforce changes that require full-time carers to be available for five out of seven days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; his views on whether such an arrangement will result in working hours being banked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14685/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Haddington Road Agreement key features include an extended working day, substantially reducing spending on overtime and making the most cost-effective use of the additional working-hours provided for in the Agreement. There must be a major focus of achieving savings and efficiencies in front-line services, including those provided for by carers, in ways which do not impact adversely on the level of services provided to clients and patients.

In relation to the specific developments in carers working arrangements, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.