Vol. 410 No. 2
165 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health the number of home helps employed in the Kerry area; the number of these who are working on (a) a full-time basis and (b) a part-time basis; and if he will outline the hourly rate of payment.
171 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health the reason home help workers employed by the Southern Health Board are paid 75p per hour when home help workers in Dublin and Limerick are paid £2.50 per hour.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 171 together.
There are approximately 378 part-time home helps involved in the provision of home help services in County Kerry.
The rate payable for part-time home helps is based on the requirements and type of task undertaken rather than on a specific rate per hour. When equated with a rate per hour, hourly payments would commence at a minimum of 75p.
No full-time home helps are employed by the Southern Health Board.
No nationally agreed payment structure exists for home helps and consequently there are variations as between the different health board areas.
