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Health Services Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (1162)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to address staff recruitment issues in homecare provision; if he has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on this matter; and if he will conduct a social care workforce capacity review. [32475/20]

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Written answers

The HSE undertakes the recruitment of staff through open, competitive, and transparent recruitment campaigns. Recruitment to the HSE is subject to the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 and is regulated by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy in relation to recruitment of home support staff.

While my Department and the HSE engages with the organisation referred to by the Deputy on a regular basis in regard to the delivery of home support services, recruitment is a matter for the private providers in the first instance.

There are no plans to conduct a social care workforce capacity review, however the Deputy will be aware that Budget 2021 has provided funding for up to 15,738 additional posts in the Health Service Executive, above what was funded for 2020. This is inclusive of the posts identified in the Winter Plan. This funding will provide for a permanent increase in the size of the public health workforce, with a focus on front-line staff. The National Service Plan will set out further detail on the positions, including the breakdown of the staff categories to be recruited. These staff will also enable an expansion of the capacity in our health system to ensure its resilience to future surges in demand.

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