Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1666. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure that there is an adequate number of home carers in Ireland to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39756/22]
View answerIn response to the challenges facing the home-support sector, I have established a cross-departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group to examine the workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home-support and nursing homes. The structure and membership of the Group was informed by submissions received by my Department from key stakeholders in January 2022 as well as by a short-life scoping exercise to gather initial data and evidence on the extent of the challenges in the sector.
The Group, which has met five times since March, provides a forum for agreement on strategic approaches to address sectoral workforce challenges. The Group is currently working with key stakeholders to further explore the issues and identify approaches to respond to these challenges. Areas being considered by the Group include the recruitment, retention, training, pay and conditions, and the career development of front-line carers in home-support and nursing homes. Ensuring the adequate supply of appropriately skilled home-support workers as well as healthcare assistants is a key objective of this initiative.
The Group will submit a report outlining key findings and recommendations for my consideration by September 2022.
