To ask the Minister of Health to detail any plans he has to facilitate the creation of more carers' hubs, similar to that starting at the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady.

Buildings-based day care for people with learning disabilities are typically delivered by HSC Trusts with staff under Agenda for Change Terms. Community-based Day Opportunities are typically provided by the independent sector; therefore, my Department does not set the rate of pay.

The current rate of pay in Adult Learning Disability Day Centres, depends on the band of the staff member. Most Health & Social Care HSC posts are ‘banded’ as part of Agenda of Change, depending on the tasks required and level of responsibility across a number of core and specific dimensions. Health and Social Care (HSC) members in Northern Ireland voted to accept a pay offer from the Department of Health for 2023/24. Payment of the 2023/24 pay award for all Agenda for Change HSC Staff was split with staff receiving the non-consolidated pay award of 5% in June. Payment of the non-consolidated award of £1505 for 2023/24 will follow in August.

Community-based Day Opportunities are funded by Trusts as ‘community & voluntary sector’ contracts. In March 2024, my Department announced a 3.11% uplift to these contracts to account for changes in the National Living Wage. I recently approved a further uplift of 0.96% which effectively increased the 2024/25 interim uplift to be applied to 2023/24 contract rates, to a revised interim uplift of 4.07% in respect of these contracts from 1 April 2024. It should be noted that this interim uplift for 2024/25 may need to be revisited in line with the element of the uplift which tracks the HSC’s Agenda for Change pay awards.

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My Department and HSC Trusts remain committed to expanding community-based Day Opportunities to provide people with learning disabilities with more meaningful day activities and greater choice and control throughout their lives.