Older people in Cork, Clare and Waterford face long delays in accessing homecare

Waiting list in Cork has 'consistently stayed at around 1,000', while parts of Dublin have no waiting list, homecare organisation says 

Joseph Musgrave, chief executive of Home and Community Care Ireland, which has called for direct funding for mileage for carers in the private and voluntary sector.

Older people in areas including Cork, Clare and Waterford face long delays getting homecare, but most parts of Dublin have no waiting lists, homecare providers have warned.

The regional inequalities mean some older people have faster access to vital supports according to Home and Community Care Ireland (HCCI).

North Dublin has kept its homecare waiting list at zero since 2023. However, in Cork the waiting list has “consistently stayed at around 1,000”, HCCI said on Monday.

A snapshot analysis it did for December last year in HSE integrated care areas showed 748 waiting for homecare in Clare and Limerick county.

There were 519 waiting in Cork and Kerry, as well as 482 in Waterford and Wexford.

In contrast, three of the four Dublin areas had no one waiting, with just seven people waiting in one area.

The Government committed to funding homecare service about 10 years ago, but HCCI said this plan was now “stalled”.

It can mean older people going into a nursing home earlier than necessary or delayed in hospital while waiting for homecare.

The HCCI pre-budget submission focuses on gaps it identified in the funding scheme between its 46 members and the HSE to deliver homecare.

“Between 2020 and 2026, the home support budget has nearly doubled, increasing from €490m to €920m, yet waiting lists are higher now than in 2020,” it said.

It called for direct funding for mileage for carers in the private and voluntary sector.

This is a particular issue in rural counties such as Cork or Clare where staff drive long distances between clients’ homes.

“Travel is essential to homecare, but mileage expenses are not funded on the HSE Home Support Authorisation Scheme,” the providers said.

It said private companies do pay mileage but argued rates were lower than for HSE carers because of funding pressures.

HCCI noted funding mileage payments was recommended by the Department of Health in 2022. This report said anyone tendering for a HSE contract should be required to pay travel costs.

HCCI also called for a registration system for carers.

This would mean families can check people coming into a vulnerable person’s home have the appropriate qualifications and do not pose a risk.

Chief executive Joseph Musgrave said: "This year's fuel price increases have placed additional pressure on a workforce that is already stretched.

“If Ireland is serious about supporting care in the community, then we must support the people delivering it.”