Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
755. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the tender for home support services; if a decision has been made on the tender content; if so, if he will provide details; if he anticipates a further extension of the current contract arrangements with home care providers; when he expects the new contract arrangements to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/23]
View answerGovernment is committed to promoting care in the community for older people so that they can continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible. Home support is an increasingly important part of the supports we offer to older people and will continue to increase in importance into the future, as our ageing population grows.
The Home Support Service is funded by Government to deliver a volume of service each year as approved in the HSE National Service Plan which is subject to the annual estimates process. It is a non-statutory service and access to the current service is based on assessment of the person’s care needs by the HSE, having regard to the available resources and competing demands for services. Home Support services are provided by both directly employed Healthcare Support Assistants and Approved Providers with service arrangements with the HSE through the tender.
The 2018 Tender Framework for the provision of home support services was initially valid for the period 01 September 2018 to 31 December 2020. The HSE has extended the framework by two 12-month extensions, to 31 December 2022.
This was further extended by the HSE at the end of 2022, initially to the end of April 2023. The HSE has proposed a further extension of the contract arrangements to Friday 30th of June, to allow time to finalise tender arrangements. The process of developing the new tender is at an advanced stage. Officials in the Department of Health are engaging at a senior level with the HSE and the HSE has ongoing engagements with home care providers to progress the new tender. No final decisions on the tender content have been reached.
