Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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528. To ask the Minister for Health his proposed changes to the contracts of home helps; if he agrees that it is both unfair and unworkable to enforce changes that require full-time home helpers to be available five out of seven days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; if he agrees that such an arrangement will result in working hours being banked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14886/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Key features of the Haddington Road Agreement include the introduction of extended working days, substantially reducing spending on overtime through cuts in the applicable overtime rates and making the most cost-effective use of the additional working-hours provided for in the Agreement. There must be a major focus on achieving savings and efficiencies in front-line services, including those provided by home helps, in ways which do not impact adversely on the level of services provided to clients and patients. In relation to specific developments in home helps working arrangements, as these are service matters, the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.