AQW 2496/22-27
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast
Tabled Date: 30/06/2022
Answered On Date: 21/07/2022
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what financial assistance his Department is able to provide to care providers who are unable to recruit or retain staff because of rising fuel and travel costs.
Answer:
The support package of up to £23m which I announced in November 2021 allowed independent domiciliary care providers to improve recruitment, employee retention, and Terms and Conditions for staff. The Department cannot mandate what levels of pay, or terms and conditions private employers should offer, including in regards to mileage or travel costs. However this investment has allowed providers to deliver enhanced rates of pay and improve other terms and conditions, which may also include increased mileage rates, at individual employers’ discretion. Despite a very challenging financial climate I have ensured that sufficient funding was provided to Trusts to ensure this uplift was carried through to the current year and made recurrent. I am acutely aware of the continuing impact that the increase in living costs and fuel prices is having across Northern Ireland, and particularly in relation to those who use their vehicles to deliver services as part of their day to day roles, whether that be in the statutory or the independent sector. I have tasked officials to continue engaging with the independent sector on ongoing challenges including the travel and other cost of living pressures facing staff. However, given the financial pressures and budgetary uncertainty, the room for manoeuvre in terms of additional funding is limited. As you may be aware, a public consultation recently closed which sought views relating to long term proposals on the Reform of Adult Social Care. Whilst the proposals on the Reform of Adult Social Care will see wide ranging changes to the delivery of social care, the reform package will require sustained additional investment and budgetary certainty.
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