Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín MLA has welcomed the additional £23m for home care staff pay and said it will help ease concerns about the growing staff shortages in the health and social care service.

The North Belfast MLA said:

“This short-term funding boost is welcome for winter as it will help ease concerns about the growing staff shortages in health and social care.

“This is recognition that workers are overworked and underpaid and need to be valued. 

“This payment will also help to tackle the large numbers of people waiting on home care which is putting pressure on the wider health service as many people are unable to leave hospital as they cannot get care at home.  

“Sinn Féin has repeatedly advocated for better rights, pay and treatment for home care workers and I welcome today’s announcement.

“I am now calling on the Minister of Health to urgently bring forward his proposals to reform adult social care.”