A £23million support package for the social care sector has been announced.
The funding will enable employers to offer improved pay and attract more staff into the domiciliary and care home workforces.
An escalating workforce shortfall in domiciliary care in Northern Ireland has led to providers being unable to deliver contracted home care packages.
This has contributed to the problem of delayed discharges in our hospitals.
Staffing pressures also continue to be experienced in care homes.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “This £23million package has been developed through detailed engagement with the sector and I am grateful for this collaborative approach.
“I am confident the funding will facilitate increased capacity across the social care sector.
“A longer-term solution is self-evidently needed, involving multi-year budgets and a durable financial settlement for all health and social care services.
“I will very shortly be launching a public consultation on the future of adult social care.
“As I have repeatedly stated, social care needs a long-term programme of both investment and reform.
“While there are many competing demands on Northern Ireland’s public finances, this has to be a priority in the coming years
“We have to invest in staffing – in making a social care a more rewarding job in terms of both remuneration and career opportunities.”
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