As part of this PQ relates to operational matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE), I have asked that the HSE responds directly regarding this part of the PQ.
The Minister for Mental Health and Older People has established a cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group to examine strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes.
To this end, a 'Call for Submissions' was issued by the Department of Health to relevant stakeholders in December 2021.
Following receipt of these completed submissions in January, Department officials undertook a short-life scoping exercise to gather initial data and evidence on the nature and extent of the challenges in the sector to inform the structure and membership of this cross-departmental Group.
On completion of the scoping exercise, the inaugural meeting of this Group was held on 3rd March, 2022.
At this meeting, the Terms of Reference for the Group and action timelines were agreed. These Terms of Reference were published and are available on the Department’s website.
The Group is presently working with key sectoral stakeholders in a structured programme of ongoing consultative engagements to further explore and define the issues.
Areas being considered by the Group include recruitment, retention, training, career development and pay and conditions including allowances of front-line carers in home support and nursing homes.
The Group provides a forum for agreement on strategic approaches to address the workforce challenges in the sector nationwide and will develop a set of recommendations for Minister Butler’s consideration outlining the Group’s key findings and a proposed action plan to support implementation of these recommendations later this year.
