‘Something has to give’: Home help crisis deepens in Leitrim

The number of unfilled home care hours in Leitrim has nearly doubled from the start to the end of 2024.

This shortfall has had a knock-on effect on nursing homes and hospitals, undermining older people’s independence and removing them from their homes when they should be able to remain there with appropriate support.

This issue was raised by Cllr Róisín Kenny at a meeting of Leitrim County Council, where she called on the Council to contact the HSE regarding the growing number of unfilled home care hours in the county.

Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny recently requested figures for 2024, which Cllr Kenny read out during the meeting.

In Leitrim, the number of unfilled home care hours for older people rose from 152 on January 1 to 295 by the end of December.

For those with physical and sensory disabilities, unfilled hours increased from 147 to 239.

In the case of intellectual disabilities, the number rose from 26 to 42 over the same period.

“There’s a serious issue with the lack of staff. There needs to be a big push for improvement because these people have been granted these hours after assessment and they’re left without the care and support they need,” Cllr Kenny said.

She acknowledged that the existing staff are doing their best under intense pressure, describing the situation as extremely difficult.

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Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn suggested that part of the problem stems from the HSE’s requirement for most home help workers to complete a Level 6 qualification, which she said deters potential workers.

“I know of a case where it started with 30 people on a course and by the end of the course there were only five people left,” she told the meeting.

Cllr Mary Bohan pointed to pay disparities as another major issue, noting, “Agency staff are paid a lot more and that’s a difficulty in recruitment as well,” she commented. 

Cllr Kenny expressed concern that increased reliance on agencies may be a step toward the quiet privatisation of the sector.

“There’s people in nursing homes that can be kept at home if the premise of Cllr Kenny’s motion was upheld,” added Cllr Cormac Flynn. “The knock on effects are enormous in our nursing homes and hospitals.”

Illustrating how severe the situation has become, Cllr Gary Prior relayed a conversation with a home help manager who told him they are waiting on clients to pass in order to free up hours.

“Home help is only given to people who need help getting up, dressed and washed and if it’s anything else you don’t get it,” Cllr Kenny said.

“And even in those limited circumstances we’re still under severe pressure. Something has to give.” 

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