Homecare sector and staff shortages

Sir, – Cantillon (“Homecare sector called out by Coalition”, August 16th) is correct to say that the homecare sector suffers from an acute shortage of staff but the commentary is otherwise slightly behind the times. The article refers to a review carried out in 2021 and fails to mention, in quoting Minister of State Damien English, the obvious fact that the HSE sets the market conditions for the sector.

Payment for travel time, travel expenses and, most challenging of all, guaranteed payment for common occurrences like a client being admitted to hospital or going on a short holiday abroad are denied under the terms of payment the HSE sets for providers. This makes it extremely challenging for employers to guarantee home are workers consistent hours on a weekly basis and contrasts with nursing homes who are paid to keep a bed available when their clients are admitted to hospital.

I reject the suggestion that a campaign to allow employment permits for non-EEA workers has failed. Home & Community Care Ireland remains optimistic that positive reforms for the sector are forthcoming. We are working closely with the Cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on recruitment and retention of staff and with the HSE on a new Home Support Tender. Our hope is to see a step-change in how the sector operates, including the ability to offer continuity of income for staff, remuneration for travel time and travel expenses, and access to employment permits for non-EEA workers.

Collectively, these reforms are crucial to address the staff shortage within the homecare sector and pave the way for the implementation of a new statutory right to homecare expected to be legislated for in 2023.– Yours, etc,