Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Health the policies his Department and the Health Service Executive are pursuing to encourage more persons to enter the home care package sector; the policies in place to secure sustainable levels of pay for the workers in that sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7982/16]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Home Care Package (HCP) Scheme provides a range of services including primary care services such as nursing and therapies, enhanced home care hours, respite care etc.

Applicants for HCPs are assessed on the basis of need and packages allocated based on this need and having regard to available resources.

This year’s Health Service Executive (HSE) National Service Plan sets a target for 15,450 people to be in receipt of a HCP at any time.

The HSE provides HCPs through its directly employed home help staff who are paid at the public service approved rates of pay for this grade and receive travel expenses in line with the arrangements set out for this grade.

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.