To ask the Minister of Health, given the current availability of home carers, and with families being advised by Health and Social Care Trusts to use the direct payment system, whether he would appeal to available family members to become carers and receive direct payments via this route.

HSC Trusts continue to promote and support the use and uptake of direct payment as a means of meeting individuals needs in a more flexible and innovative manner, ultimately with the aim of giving individuals greater choice over the care they receive.

This in turn can sustain wellbeing and improve quality of life for many individuals, but I acknowledge that they are not the preferred option for everyone. Direct payments are not intended to replace existing support networks with family members, rather they are intended to supplement this family care. If a service user or family member feels that their individual circumstances would benefit from a receiving a direct payment to employ a family member, I would urge them to discuss this with their local HSC Trust who will consider a request on a case-by-case basis and will take into consideration the assessed needs of the service user.