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Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what action will be taken to resolve the shortage of home carestaff in the South Down area; [183058]if he will make a statement on the shortage in home: care staff in the South Down area. [183064]Angela Smith: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) recognises the recruitment and retentiondifficulties faced by domiciliary care providers, not only in the South Down area but across the region as a whole. Research hasbeen commissioned, which includes exploring with Health and Social Services Trusts and independent domiciliary care providers, thekey issues affecting their ability to commission or deliver such services in the future. The outcome of this research will help toinform decisions on future funding for domiciliary care services.DHSSPS is committed to securing additional resources for community care services. This year I have allocated an additional£4 million for community care, which will include domiciliary care. These funds have been allocated to boards on the basis oftheir capitation shares of overall resources. |