Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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707. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria in the next phase of the upcoming HSE tender for homecare in order to ensure the best offers of quality care services from homecare providers; if a mechanism has been developed to determine a fixed price paid to providers; the way in which this mechanism will reflect the cost of providing care and market conditions such as the payment of a living wage, mileage and travel time; the way in which this pricing mechanism will reflect inflation over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49888/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, 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.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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708. To ask the Minister for Health if provision will be made for apprenticeships, on-the-job training, or earn-as-you-learn schemes within the forthcoming Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2022; if he supports such a move as a means to help alleviate the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis within the homecare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49889/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister for Mental Health and Older People, I established a cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG) to examine current challenges associated with the recruitment and retention of home support workers and front-line carers in nursing homes. In recognition of the need for whole-of-government solutions to these challenges, the membership of the Group encompasses representation from seven Government departments.

An evidence review and targeted consultations has helped identify a list of recommendations which will be included in a report. These recommendations will also help inform the development of the Health (Amendment) (Licensing of Professional Home Support Providers) Bill 2022.

Since March 2022, the Group has convened six times and has examined issues such as training, career-development, and pay and conditions as well as recruitment and retention. Alongside this, the Group undertook a structured programme of stakeholder-engagement to gain insight into the challenges arising from the perspective of key sectoral groups.

The report of the Group, which outlines their key findings and suite of recommendations, is currently being finalised prior to submission to me for my consideration.