Vol. 515 No. 2
44 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, available to adequately address all the relevant issues with regard to home helps who carry out tremendous work and support in the community and desire special recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5197/00]
Government policy in relation to the care of older people is to maintain them in their own homes for as long as possible. I, together with the various organisations representing the interests of older people, recognise that the role played by home helps is vital to the success of this policy. Notwithstanding this recognition, it is accepted that there are a number of issues relating to the organisation and development of home help services which need to be addressed in order to realise the full potential of this service.
In this regard, my Department commissioned a report entitled The Future Organisation of the Home Help Service in Ireland by the policy research centre of the National College of Ireland under the direction of the National Council on Ageing and Older People. This report has been published and is being considered in my Department and the health boards. One of the key issues addressed was that of training and I will be paying particular attention to this aspect. A sum of £1.5 million was provided to the health boards in 1999 for expansion and development of the home help service, including training. This sum, together with an additional £0.78 million has been repeated this year.
In further recognition of the contribution of home helps, improvements have been made to their pay and it is my objective for the coming year to implement the national minimum wage of £4.40 per hour with effect from 1 April 2000, an increase from £3 per hour minimum in April 1999.
Negotiations are continuing under the auspices of the Health Service Employers Agency in respect of all aspects of status, pay and working conditions for home helps. These talks are taking place in the context of the national council on ageing and older people's report.
The management team, which includes representatives of the Health Service Employers Agency, my Department and the health boards, last met with the unions representing home helps on Tuesday, 22 February 2000.
It is envisaged that, in association with the Labour Court, all outstanding issues will be resolved by the end of April.
