Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps he is taking to fund a real Living Wage for all home care workers. [Priority Written]
Minister of Health: The Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland continues to face unprecedented financial pressures. My Department is managing a funding gap of approximately £615 million, which includes around £200 million for HSC pay.
My Department has been driving efficiencies and savings to reduce the financial deficit as far as possible with a target to deliver some £300 million savings internally and seek help from the Executive to cover the remaining £300 million.
The Executive have recently approved my Ministerial Direction to commit up to £209 million for pay uplifts to staff groups covered by the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body and the NHS Pay Review Body.
I remain fully committed to resolving pay issues across the sector and to funding the RLW at the earliest affordable opportunity. Unfortunately, I do not currently have the capacity within my budget to deliver this commitment in the current financial year. It will, however, be a priority for me in planning expenditure for 2026–27. When this uplift becomes possible, I intend to ensure that funding is allocated transparently, with clear timing and ringfencing for the pay uplift.
I recognise this will be disappointing for many but my officials will continue to engage with independent sector organisations, which are integral to the delivery of care across Health and Social Care services and the wider programme of social care reform.
ENDS
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