Some social care workers to miss out on pay offer

Some social care staff will not benefit from the pay offer made to Northern Ireland healthcare workers, the Department of Health has confirmed.

Last week’s offer – aimed at avoiding industrial action – applied to doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff, but not homecare workers in the independent sector.

Funding which would have ensured they received the Real Living Wage is not being made available.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he was aware it would be “disappointing”, but he was committed to future funding.

Homecare workers provide care for people living in their own homes, with many employed by the independent sector which provides some services on behalf of health trusts.

Nesbitt last week said the Northern Ireland Executive had given him approval to award pay parity with colleagues in other parts of the UK.

In May, Nesbitt signed off £200m to go towards this year’s pay deal but said the money would need to be found outside his department due to financial pressure he is already facing.

The executive has agreed that the Department of Health can overspend its budget by £100m this year to meet the pay-related pressures.

However, the pay offer does not include “a direction” to provide the Real Living Wage (RLW) for staff in the independent sector.

Nesbitt said he was aiming to fund the RLW “at the earliest affordable opportunity”.

“This will be a priority for me in the planning of our expenditure for the financial year 2026/27,” he said.

“As and when this uplift is possible it will be my intention to ensure that the funding is ring fenced, allocated transparently and with clear timing.

“I am aware this will be disappointing, but I hope that we can maintain the positive working relationships built-up in the past. I wish to see due recognition of the dedicated social care sector professionals who play such a vital role in our health and social care system.”