Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
686. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he will agree to meet with an organisation (details supplied) to agree funding for a new rate on Tender 2023 that reflects the increased costs of care and that allows homecare providers to offer their homecare staff a living wage, travel time and mileage costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22951/23]
View answerThe existing tender for home support services was extended by the HSE at the end of 2022, initially to the end of April 2023. The HSE has proposed a further extension of the contract arrangements to Friday 30th of June, to allow time to finalise tender arrangements. This is a priority area and the process of developing the new tender is at an advanced stage. Officials in the Department of Health are engaging at a senior level with the HSE and the HSE has ongoing engagements with home care providers to progress the new tender.
A strict communication protocol applies in all phases of the procurement process, therefore a meeting with a particular organisation on Tender 2023 cannot be facilitated at this time.
