Family Carers Ireland to Recruit 800 Home Care Workers Amid Growing Demand

National hiring drive underlines scale of unmet demand for care at home

Roles offer meaningful, flexible work supporting people to live well at home

Wednesday, 6th May 2026: Family Carers Ireland has announced plans to recruit 800 Home Care Workers nationwide, with recruitment events taking place across 19 locations from 11th to 18th May, as growing demand for care at home adds to pressure on families and the wider health system.

The campaign comes amid growing demand for care at home, with recent HSE figures showing that 5,600 people were waiting for home support at the end of last year, either for a new service or for additional hours. The new roles will help increase access to practical, person-centred support while also easing pressure on families providing unpaid care.

In Ireland, an estimated 624,190 people provide care to loved ones. For many families, reliable home care is the difference between managing and crisis. It helps keep a loved one safe at home, protects family routines and gives reassurance to those providing care behind closed doors.

Family Carers Ireland provides HSE-approved home care services nationwide, with care tailored to individual circumstances and changing needs. As a not-for-profit organisation, its home care service is grounded in the organisation’s wider understanding of family caring, with additional supports including training, respite, advocacy, and peer support.

Sean Dillon, Head of Home Support Services with Family Carers Ireland, said: “Home care is skilled, meaningful work that makes a real difference in people’s lives every day. Our Home Care Workers help people stay safe, independent, and connected to their own homes and communities, while also giving families reassurance and practical support.

“We want people to see home care as a positive career choice. These roles offer flexible, community-based work, strong training and the chance to be part of a not-for-profit organisation that understands both the person receiving care and their family.

“This recruitment drive reflects the level of need that is there. Thousands of people are still waiting for home support, and that means more pressure on families and more strain across the wider health system.

“What makes these roles so important is the trust that Home Care Workers build over time. They are often the familiar face at the door, the person who notices when something changes, and the steady support that helps someone remain safe and well at home. That consistency can have a huge impact, not only on the person receiving care, but on the family around them.

“We also need to broaden the range of people coming into home care, including attracting more men into these roles. Care is too often still seen through a narrow lens, but the people who need support at home are of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. A more diverse home care workforce means more choice, stronger relationships and better continuity for the people and families we support. If we are serious about improving access to care at home, we need to widen the workforce and encourage more people to see this as skilled, meaningful, and important work that has real value in every community.”

Recruitment event locations:

Monday 11th May:
10am-7pm: Royal Hotel, Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow
10am-7pm: Family Carers Ireland, Barrack St, Loughrea, Co. Galway

Tuesday 12th May:
10am-7pm: Sligo Park Hotel, Pearse Rd, Sligo
11am-5.30pm: Community Hall, Friary House, Abbey St, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
10am-7pm: Family Carers Ireland, 1 George’s Quay, Englishtown, Co. Limerick
10am-7pm: Castle Arch Hotel, Summerhill Rd, Trim, Co. Meath

Wednesday 13th May:
10am-5pm: Horse & Jockey Hotel, Curraheen, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
10am-7pm: Hillgrove Hotel, Old Armagh Rd, Latlorcan, Co. Monaghan
10am-7pm: Family Carers Ireland, 19 Abbey St, Roscommon
10am-5pm Castle Varagh Hotel, The Square, Townparks, Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath
10am-7pm: Temperance Hall, New St, Townparks, Longford

Thursday 14th May:
10am-7pm: Family Carers Ireland, CYMS Building, Farnham St, Cavan
10am-7pm: Family Carers Ireland, St Jarlath’s Court, The Glebe, Tuam, Co. Galway
10am – 4pm: Family Carers Ireland, Butler Court, Patrick St, Gardens, Co. Kilkenny
10am-7pm: Athlone Town Shopping Centre, Mardyke Street, Athlone

Friday 15th May:
10am-7pm: Shearwater Hotel, Marina Port, Dunlo, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
10am-7pm: Hotel Woodstock, Shanaway Road, Ballylannidy, Ennis, Co. Clare 
10am-5pm: Family Carers Ireland, Market Square, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Monday 18th May:
10am – 4pm: Park Hotel, Shandon Rd, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford