Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the policies he is pursuing to encourage more persons to enter the home care sector and to secure sustainable levels of pay for the workers in that sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7046/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Health has responsibility for the Home Care Package (HCP) Scheme. The HCP is an important scheme as it provides a range of services including primary care services such as nursing and therapies, enhanced home care hours, respite care etc. I understand that applicants for HCPs are assessed on the basis of need and packages allocated based on this need and having regard to available resources.

Where the HSE cannot provide the HCP through its directly employed staff arrangements are in place with external providers who meet the HSE requirements. The rate of pay and conditions of employment of staff who are employed by care providers is a matter for these providers, many of whom deliver high volumes of care outside the publicly funded sector.