Clare has the highest home care waiting list relative to population… and we don’t know why
Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI) today publishes its latest research, “Home Support Waiting List Per 1,000 People,” marking the first-ever county-by-county population analysis of HSE home support waiting lists. The research finds that Clare is the county with the highest waiting list per 1,000 people.
- 304 older people are waiting for home support in Clare.
- 2.836 per 1,000 people are waiting for home support.
- This population analysis shows that waiting lists in Clare are 157% higher than the national average; 253% higher than comparably rural county Kerry; and 3039% higher than Dublin, who has the lowest waiting list relative to population.
The research challenges assumptions about urban vs rural divide in home support and highlights the urgent need for transparency and targeted action to address unexplained disparities in access to home care. The research found that:
- The urban–rural divide is not the main issue. While carer shortages in rural areas is a real issue, the data shows that some rural counties like Kerry, Kilkenny and Sligo have low waiting lists while other rural counties like Clare, Limerick and Galway have high waiting lists. Urban areas like South Lee in Cork City also have disproportionately high waiting lists.
- The true causes of waiting list variation remain unknown. For most counties, including Clare (which has the highest waiting list per 1,000 people), there is no clear explanation for why so many are waiting. HSE explanations are often superficial, and critical data is not routinely published.
- Transparency and accountability are lacking. Waiting list data is only available through Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and is not included in the HSE’s National Service Plan, making it difficult to understand or address the root causes.
- Policy Recommendations:
- Establish a home support waiting list taskforce within 30 days.
- Mandate monthly publication of county-level waiting list data by the HSE.
- Resource targeted interventions in areas with the highest need.
- Support a new deal for carers to ensure recruitment, retention, and fair treatment across the sector.
Speaking today, Joseph Musgrave, CEO of HCCI said: “Older People across Clare face months on the waiting list for home care. Instead of concerted action to tackle waiting lists, they’re met with generic excuses from the HSE about staff shortages. Our new analysis shows that these usual explanations don’t add up. Counties with similar profiles to Clare have vastly different waiting lists, and we simply don’t know why. Without better data and real accountability, we can’t fix the problem. We’re calling for a national taskforce, transparent reporting, and targeted action to ensure that everyone, regardless of Eircode, can access the home support they need. It’s time for action, not excuses.”
—ENDS—
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: dionne@hcci.ie or 086 201 0980
About HCCI
Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI) is the voice for home and community care providers across Ireland. Our mission is to drive policies that sustain the sector, guaranteeing the highest standards of care for people — whether services are publicly funded or privately sourced — and uphold the well-being of our workforce. We are committed to honesty, integrity and evidence-led policy.
Our vision is a future where every adult in Ireland has a statutory right to home care and where solutions in the community are thoughtfully designed to support people. At HCCI, we not only advocate for care — we champion a system that respects and empowers every person it serves.
