Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1809. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure there are adequate numbers of home help carers to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30411/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am acutely aware of the strategic workforce challenges that exist in the home-support and nursing homes sectors in Ireland and I have established a cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group to examine these. Ensuring the adequate supply of appropriately skilled home-support workers and healthcare assistants is a key objective of this initiative.

The structure and membership of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group was informed by submissions received by my Department from key stakeholders in January 2022 as well as by a short-life scoping exercise to gather initial data and evidence on the extent of the challenges in the sector.

At the inaugural meeting of the Group, which was held on 3rd March 2022, the Group's terms of reference and action-timelines were agreed. The terms of reference are available on the Department's website. Areas being considered by the Group include the recruitment, retention, training, pay and conditions, and the career development of front-line carers in home-support and nursing homes.

The Group is currently working with key sectoral stakeholders to further explore and define the issues arising and will submit a report for my consideration by September 2022. The report will outline the Group's key findings and recommendations as well as an action plan for the recommendations' implementation.