277. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding cuts to the rostered hours of home help sector workers within the Health Service Executive CHO Area 5; the position regarding deficits which may occur between the 39 hours contracted and the eventual hours allotted and rostered; the protocol in place by which such shortfalls of hours are monitored and analysed and the utilisation of private operators in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40897/19]

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.