Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
519. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps and arrangements that are being put in place to recruit staff members for homecare packages and homecare hours to ensure that eligible persons are in receipt of their allocation as awarded when medically assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3465/22]
View answerI am, along with Government as a whole, committed to the development of improved community-based services, shifting care to the home, and offering greater choice for older people. We have prioritised home support services and the additional funding secured in Budget 2021 to provide an extra 5 million hours has been maintained under Budget 2022. It is estimated that by the end of November some 18.6 million hours had been provided to over 55,100 people. This is about 2.7 million more hours compared to the same period in 2020, an increase of 17%.
However, delays can arise between funding approval and the delivery of home support hours. Certain regions are experiencing increased pressures due to staff availability. At the end of November there were 4,975 people assessed and waiting for a carer to become available. A further 455 people were waiting for funding approval. To address this, the HSE is endeavouring to prioritise service for clients with the highest care needs to ensure that the service can commence for those who require it most urgently. However, it is important to note that the total number of people waiting for home support across both categories has reduced from over 9,000 at the start of 2020 to approximately 5,430 by the end of November 2021.
I am engaged with stakeholders in home support and nursing homes on issues of recruitment and retention, with multiple meetings held with such groups in recent months. Work is also ongoing within the Department to progress the establishment of a Cross Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group which will be set up as a priority in early 2022.
The Department is completing a short-life scoping exercise which is currently underway. A ‘call for submissions’ issued to relevant national stakeholders in early December, with a closing date for receipt of submissions on 7th January 2022. This is a critical first step to set out current challenges and to gather initial data and evidence to support the scoping, nature, and extent of the challenges, in advance of the Department bringing relevant stakeholders together in a structured process.
The role of the group will be to facilitate the views of stakeholders and examine any strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes. Potential areas to be considered include recruitment, retention, training, and the career development of front-line carers in home support and nursing homes into the future. Subject to the scoping exercise, it is expected that the pay and conditions for these workers is also likely to be considered.
The Department’s project team will consider the submissions received which will inform the next steps, including membership of the Group, consultation with Government Departments and arrangements for meetings.
