To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of domiciliary care staff who were made redundant as a result of recent funding changes.

My Department contacted the five HSC Trusts regarding their in-house homecare services, and they have confirmed that no redundancies have been made as a result of recent funding changes.

In May, one independent homecare provider stated to the press that it “likely will pull out of homecare in some rural areas of Northern Ireland because it can no longer afford to provide it, due to failure of government to properly fund the independent care sector.” To date, my Department is not aware of any withdrawal of services in rural areas by this provider. Nor am I aware of any redundancies among independent sector providers.

As the Member will be aware, the Department of Health budget for the current financial year has not yet been finalised. However, following engagement with independent sector providers, my Department has written to each of the HSC Trusts to advise of an additional uplift to the 2026/27 rate to help address pressures arising from increases in employer National Insurance contributions.

I remain committed to delivering the Real Living Wage for the independent social care sector in 2026/27 but I cannot confirm when an announcement will be made as I am still awaiting a confirmed budget.