Vol. 509 No. 6
336 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that home helps in the Southern Health Board area are receiving only £3 per hour; if he will make provision in the forthcoming budget to ensure that these women are paid a decent rate of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21242/99]
Following the publication earlier this year of the National Council on Ageing and Older People's report examining the future organisation of the home help service in Ireland, the Health Service Employers Agency established an expert group to examine and to make proposals which would improve and professionalise the home help service.
The matter is also under continuing discussion at the Labour Relations Commission and the Health Service Employers Agency has met with the unions representing the home helps. It was agreed that proposals covering all aspects of status, pay and working conditions for home helps would be presented to these unions through the Labour Relations Commission, in the near future.
As a first step in this direction, I have facilitated the health boards through additional resources to bring the minimum rate of payment, for all home helps up to £3.00 per hour from 1 April last. This is part of a phased improvement in the rate of payment for home helps, the remaining phases of which I hope to implement as resources permit.
