Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1153. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the steps that he has taken to date to address delays in the Statutory Home Support Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47628/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government commits to ‘Introduce a statutory scheme to support people to live in their own homes, which will provide equitable access to high-quality, regulated home care’. Work is ongoing within the Department across four broad areas to progress this commitment: (i) Regulation of home-support providers; (ii) the examination of future funding options for home-support services; (iii) working with the HSE to develop a reformed model of service delivery for home support; and (iv) implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group.

Establishing a regulatory framework for home support providers is a significant element of the new scheme and is a priority for government. The regulatory framework will comprise: primary legislation for the licensing of home support providers; regulations which will set out the minimum requirements that a home support provider must meet to obtain a licence; and HIQA national standards.

The legislation to establish a licensing framework for home support providers is at an advanced stage. The Heads of Bill are currently being drafted by the Department with a view to bringing the Heads of Bill to Government for approval before the end of the year. Primary legislation has been prioritised for drafting in the Autumn Legislative Programme.

The Department is engaging with key stakeholders in relation to the primary legislation and draft regulations.

The draft regulations are at an advanced stage informed by a public consultation, which concluded on 4 August 2022. The analysis of submissions has been carried out by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) which demonstrated strong agreement in relation to regulation of home support service provision. A report on the findings of the public consultation was published in January 2023

The Department is working closely with HIQA and the Chief inspector who will have the legal authority to grant, amend or revoke a license. Consultation on HIQA quality standards for home care and home support services will commence early in 2024 when the scope and content of regulations have been finalised.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1154. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that future tender invitations for home support services will include mileage payments to homecare workers (as is the case for HSE employed carers); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47629/23]

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.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1155. To ask the Minister for Health if he will engage with representatives of homecare providers and homecare workers for the purposes of developing career structures and pathways for homecare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47638/23]

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.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1156. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that homecare workers continue to receive the living wage for the duration of Authorisation Scheme 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47632/23]

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.