Home help firm to double workforce

Home help services company Right at Home is aiming to double its Ireland-based workforce and significantly expand its operations here over the next 18 months.

The US company — which generated $1bn in sales last year — provides bespoke services to retirees or “seniors” who need help in their daily lives but want to remain living in their own homes rather than relocating to a nursing or care home.

Currently there are 535,000 people over the age of 60 living in Ireland; with that figure set to rise to 800,000 over the next 12 years — with demand for in-home care rising.

“The monumental growth and success we have been able to achieve in the US will help serve as a launching point for our franchise expansion in Ireland,” Right at Home founder and chief executive Allen Hager said.

Right at Home formally entered the Irish market in March, with local businessman David McKone acquiring the master franchise for the country. To date, the company is only operating in Dublin, employing a staff of 35 people made up of administration employees and qualified care providers.

However, Mr McKone has plans to significantly expand the business here, by franchising it out to a number of other counties and doubling staff numbers.

“With the rapidly aging population in Ireland and worldwide, we’re seeing a growing demand and need for in-home senior care options. This is a universal need. Through the success we have experienced in other markets, we’ve been able to build a platform that can be tailored to individual markets on an international scale,” Mr Hager added.