Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:225 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount per hour being paid to home helps in the Southern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23594/00]
Written Answers. - Home Help Service.
Home helps in the Southern Health Board area are currently paid £4.40 per hour, in line with national minimum wage legislation.
The recently concluded agreement on pay and conditions for home helps will result in this rate being increased to £5 per hour, back-dated to 1 January 2000. In addition, home helps will, from 1 January 2001, be paid at the group 1 rates. This is equivalent to between £6.54 and £6.90 per hour, and represents a substantial increase.