Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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498. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons approved for homecare supports who are currently waiting on delivery of support hours in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22041/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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499. To ask the Minister for Health the number of approved homecare support hours which are currently not being delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22042/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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500. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department intends to conduct an audit of the administration of homecare support hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22043/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Department considers that any proposed audit of internal administrative processes would be a matter for the Internal Auditors of the HSE to consider, in the first instance.  

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a HSE tender for the provision of home support services is currently under development. It is anticipated that an Invitation to Tender will be published on the e-tenders website during Q3 2022 with the aim to have tender arrangements in place to commence with effect from 01 January 2023.  There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the HSE in relation to the tender. 

Work within the Department of Health to progress the development of the new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services is progressing well. Taking place within the broader context of the Sláintecare reforms, this work encompasses the development of the regulatory framework for the new scheme; the examination of the options for the financing model for the scheme; and the development of a reformed model of service-delivery.  This has included detailed research and stakeholder engagement to ensure any proposed new scheme is targeted, equitable and care is regulated to a high standard that will meet the needs of the service users.