Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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576. To ask the Minister for Health his views on seven-hour contracts for home help staff (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14513/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

In September 2013 the Labour Court issued a binding recommendation to the HSE, SIPTU and IMPACT stipulating that Home Helps receive a guaranteed minimum number of working hours per week. The recommendation provided for Home Helps being guaranteed 80% of the hours they worked in the period between 1 October 2011 and 31 March 2012 per week in new contracts. Following this engagement a new contract was agreed and implemented.