Supports needed in home care - Tully

The Government is being urged to put in place supports to allow people with disabilities and older people to remain living in their own home.

Cavan Sinn Féin TD Pauline Tully made the call in the Dáil last week while speaking in support of the Professional Home Care Bill.

“Demand for care services is due to rise in the coming years as the population of older people grows. A capacity review that was carried out by the Department of Health estimated that a 120% increase in home care provision would be needed between 2017 and 2031,” she said.

“That growing demand is not being met at the moment, with some 6,000 people on HSE waiting lists. As we know, not everybody is in a position to pay for home care,” added Deputy Tully.

In relation to Carers Allowance, the local TD said only those at the highest level of need are considered and, as such, it can be difficult to secure a successful outcome.

Deputy Tully further highlighted the pay and conditions of home care assistants, which she said need to be addressed. She claimed that, although those working for the HSE are required to have a FETAC level 5 qualification, some working in the private sector are being paid less than minimum wage.

“Many have to travel up to 40 minutes for what might be a half-hour slot and they are not paid for the time they spend travelling. In the current circumstances, they are not reimbursed for the personal protective equipment, PPE, they are required to use.

“As a result of the poor pay and conditions for these workers, staff turnover is high, which is detrimental to both carers and home care recipients,” said Deputy Tully.

She further highlighted problems with people who call themselves homecare assistants who are not qualified.

“There is very little continuing or in-service education and a lack of governance within the private sector,” said Deputy Tully who is also calling for a register of home care assistants.

“If a carer is guilty of abusing a care recipient, there is nothing to stop him or her getting a caring job elsewhere because there is no register from which he or she can be struck,” said Deputy Tully.

“People in receipt of home care services are vulnerable and need to be supported and protected. We are behind many of our European counterparts in this regard,” she remarked.