Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Family Support Services.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

226 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will arrange to have a directive issued by his Department to the eight health boards to have a uniform rate of pay and travel expenses paid to all family support workers in each health board area where the rates presently vary from £8 per hour and 75p per mile in the Mid-Western Health Board to £3.50 per hour and 11p per mile in South Eastern Health Board area; if his Department will recognise the huge contribution and value of family support workers in dysfunctional homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3605/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I would like to state at the outset that my Department recognises the valuable role played by family support workers in supporting people in the home. However, my Department does not set a pay rate or a travel allowance for this category of staff since the type of work performed varies considerably in different health board regions. It is indeed correct, therefore, that the rate of pay applicable to staff categorised as family support workers varies throughout the country since these rates are determined by the employing authority on the basis of their particular requirements and type of task undertaken. It is a matter for the chief executive officer of each individual health board to decide on these issues, including the level of service required and the consequent rate of pay applicable. I understand that, following the lodgement of a pay claim, the Health Service Employers Agency has met with unions representing the staff who are currently consulting their membership.