Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of hours worked by home helps employed by the welfare authorities in Northern Ireland in 1973–74; what was the total amount of money paid and the rate per hour; by what percentage are the amounts of money and hours worked being reduced in the current year; and what is the target for next year, 1976–77.
§ Mr. MoyleInformation on the number of hours worked by home helps employed in 1973–74, by local authorities up to 30th September 1973 and by health and social services boards thereafter, and on the relationship between hours worked in the current year and the previous years is not available.
The cost of home help service in 1973–74 was about £1.8 million, whereas the estimated cost for the current year is £6.8 million. Financial allocations for 1976–77 have not yet been made.
The rate per hour payable to home helps at 1st October 1973 varied according to the particular area of employment and ranged from 17p per hour in the western counties to 49.65p per hour in Belfast. Rates of pay were rationalised throughout the Province from 1st September 1974 at 57.23p per hour. The current rate is 80.88p per hour.