To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of the impact of rurality on the delivery of domiciliary care services.

My Department recognises that rurality can present particular challenges in the delivery of homecare services, including issues relating to travel time, workforce availability, and service accessibility.

While a single, standalone assessment specifically focused on rurality has not been undertaken, my Department and HSC Trusts routinely consider the impact of geography and population distribution as part of broader service planning, commissioning, and workforce analysis. These considerations are reflected in regional strategies, including the provision of care closer to home and the transformation agenda for adult social care.

HSC Trusts take account of the additional time and resource implications associated with delivering care in rural areas, including increased travel distances and reduced economies of scale. Measures such as flexible scheduling, enhanced mileage arrangements, and the use of local care teams are employed to mitigate these challenges wherever possible.

On the 23 June 2026 my Department wrote to the HSC Trusts to inform them of an additional uplift to the 26/27-hourly rate paid to independent sector providers. The total uplift is a 4.36% increase in the hourly rate paid in 25/26. My hope is that this will encourage more people to be attracted to work in the homecare sector.

The Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including providers and representative bodies, to better understand the pressures facing homecare services, particularly in rural communities. Work is ongoing to stabilise and reform the homecare sector, including efforts to improve workforce recruitment and retention, which are critical factors in ensuring equitable service provision across both urban and rural areas.

I remain committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of where they live, have access to safe, effective, and high-quality homecare services.