Ireland's leader welcomes Home Instead's creation of 1,000 new care jobs

Home care provider Home Instead is creating 1,000 new care worker jobs across Ireland to support the country’s growing population of over 65s - a decision welcomed by Ireland’s Taoiseach Michéal Martin.

Home Instead already supports 7,000 people across Ireland who are cared for by 4,000-strong workforce and its jobs announcement will see its Irish workforce grow by 25 per cent.

With 1,000 more home care workers employed, the company hopes to increase its capacity to care for another 2,000 ageing adults.

Taoiseach: 1,000 Home Instead jobs ‘come at a vital time’

Ireland’s Taoiseach Michéal Martin welcomed the news and said: “Supporting older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence, for as long as possible, is a priority for this Government. The Covid-19 pandemic has again highlighted the vital work that caregivers do in our communities.

“I welcome this announcement from Home Instead creating 1,000 new caregiving jobs.

“We know that in the years ahead, Ireland, like so many countries, will face the challenge of an ageing population. Home care can play an increasingly important role in providing care to our oldest and most vulnerable citizens, many of whom would like to continue living in their homes and communities.

“These new 1,000 Home Instead jobs come at a vital time for the country – not only as we look to build our future home care needs, but as we look to rebuild the economy as we emerge from the pandemic.”

'Join Us - the work is local the jobs are sustainable'

Home Instead’s chief operating officer Shane Jennings said: “The number of people over the age of 65 in Ireland is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040, with even greater growth expected in the population aged 80 and over. This change has the potential for the biggest impact on health services overall.

“As life expectancy increases in Ireland, so too does the need for quality home care – and quality home carers, the new jobs we are creating will help us to build our caregiving workforce of the future, and is also testament to the hard work of our Caregivers and team in our 25 offices around the country.

“For the vast majority of older people, ageing at home has better health outcomes, is less expensive than institutional care, and can help prevent unnecessary or premature admission to long-term residential care.”

'Building the Caregiving Workforce Our Aging World Needs”, a new Global Workforce Report commissioned by Home Instead with the Global Coalition on Aging, highlighted the urgency of expanding and professionalising the care workforce around the world.

Home Instead’s chief executive said the report highlighted “the acute and expanding shortage of professional care workers around the world, and estimates that across the OECD countries, the number of elder care workers will need to increase by 60% by 2040 to maintain the current ratio of caregivers to older people.

“We’re inviting applications from people with an interest in care, to join us in helping older people live independent lives in their own homes. The work is local, the jobs are sustainable and there are opportunities available in rural and urban areas around the country”.

The home care provider says its reward and remuneration package includes competitive rates of pay for staff with higher rates at weekends, ongoing professional development opportunities, 24-hour support and local benefit schemes to suit local carer needs nationwide.

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