Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large void in the number of carers presently available to the HSE to carry out home help services; his views on whether the suspension of necessary study courses due to Covid-19 has restricted the number of new entrants into the home help system; if he will examine the possibility of allowing dispensations from certain course modules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53647/21]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is committed to examining the staffing issues experienced by homecare services together with the involvement of key stakeholders including representatives from the homecare sector and across relevant Government departments and agencies. It is intended to provide a forum for practical action and collaboration aimed at identifying the issues that are leading to shortages in the sector.

The Department will bring forward proposals on the scope and potential timeframe for this work as a matter of priority.

In relation to the Deputy’s question about allowing dispensations from certain course modules, as this is an operational matter for the HSE, I have asked them to respond to you directly in relation to that detail.