Máire Hoctor, TD, Minister for Older People, today (Thursday, 5th March 2009) presented Fetac Level 5 Care Assistant Certificates to Carers working with the Rural Community Care Network. The purpose of the course is to equip the Healthcare Assistant with the core competencies required to assist with the provision of care for older people in a variety of settings.

The Rural Community Care Network is community based non-profit company which provides a range of community services in Limerick, North Cork and parts of Tipperary.

Speaking at the presentation, Minister Hoctor said “Government policy aims to support older people to live in safety, comfort and dignity in their own homes for as long as possible. As Minister for Older People, I am committed to working in partnership with statutory, voluntary and private agencies, such as Rural Community Care Network, to improve the quality of care for older people and to ensure that the needs of that sector of the population are comprehensively addressed.”