Good deal for Home Help in Kilkenny, says Hynes

Carlow/Kilkenny general election candidate for Labour Denis Hynes has welcomed   the recent agreement between SIPTU and the HSE for improvements to the working conditions of Home Help workers. 

Mr Hynes negotiates collective agreements for improvements in pay and conditions across Carlow and Kilkenny.

“In SIPTU today we secured proposals to end precarious work for home helps in our community. This agreement will see further improvements in working conditions for Home Help locally. We should also see increases in additional Home Help hours been provided for our family members who would prefer treatment at home rather than in HSE and private facilities. Following negotiations with the HSE through auspices of the Work Place Relations Commission, proposals are now made in securing a quality home care service with fully qualified workers for those who wish to remain in their own home. There will be a substantial increase in home care hours for the most vulnerable citizens across Carlow and Kilkenny. Home Helps will see travel time included in their work," he added.

“The agreement provides for Home Helps to make the transition to become health care support assistants over time. In recent times we have also secured other agreements including 800 new Home Help positions and an end to the 15 minute care window so that the needs of the service user can be catered for in a manner which respects their dignity,” added Mr Hynes.

“Home Helpers adds greatly to the care locally for those in need of the service. Importantly those in receipt of the care get to stay in the homes where they know and love. It adds to the quality of life for many elderly people and gives peace of mind to their families. Importantly Home Helpers locally take pressure off the already hard pressed health services and in fact save the state money as without this service many of our senior citizens may not be able to stay in their homes. I firmly believe that the government often takes for granted the work Home Helpers carry out. I for one will stand by the Home Help employee locally and nationally to see they get the recognition for the work they do,”  he concluded.