To ask the Minister of Health what considerations his Department has given to improving the hourly wage and travel expense allowance of agency workers providing care in the community.

Contracts between HSC trusts and employment agencies do not include a requirement for agency staff to receive similar hourly rates of pay or travel expenses, as those given to staff directly employed Health and Social Care Trusts.

However, contracted agencies must comply fully with all employers’ legislation covering statutory entitlements, minimum wage, pensions and HMRC requirements.

Where staff are employed by agencies, their agency remains their employer and issues relating to pay, travel expenses etc are for their employer to consider.