The Government is being called on to expand public nursing home and home care provisions, following a report that highlights workers' concerns.

The Union of Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) with SIPTU is calling on the new Government to expand and improve the public provision of nursing home and home care.

It follows the release of the initial results of a survey of HCAs which highlights their concerns about low pay, poor staffing levels and stress in the workplace.

SIPTU sector organiser Sharon Cregan said that the issue of pay and benefits has led to a worsening staffing crisis in the sector.

“We believe care must be prioritised in the next Programme for Government,” she said.

“The incoming Government must put in place a working mechanism in private care settings so workers can negotiate pay deals with their employers, expand the public provision of nursing homes and home support services as well as ensure safe staffing for all grades of staff in all settings.”

SIPTU spokesperson Darragh O’Connor said that election promises need to be turned from words into actions.

“The Fianna Fáil election manifesto commits that party to the provision of ‘more public nursing home beds’ and to providing ‘a career pathway for healthcare assistants’,” he said.

“While these commitments are welcome, HCAs need to these see words turned into action.”

Further analysis of the survey will be undertaken and published in early 2025.