Nearly 900 people in Cork are waiting for essential home care.
A Cork TD has expressed outrage at the HSE South West over a crisis in home support services across the county.
Figures obtained by Cork North West TD John Paul O’Shea show that 890 people in Cork city and county are currently waitlisted for home support, 543 waiting for a new service and 347 existing clients waiting for additional hours.
“These numbers are shocking and unacceptable. Behind each statistic is a person who needs essential daily support to live with dignity in their own home,” Deputy O’Shea said.
While the HSE confirmed funding for home support is in place, it acknowledged that staff shortages are preventing services from being delivered.
In 2024, 161 home support staff in Cork and Kerry resigned or retired, compared with 105 newly recruited, leaving a net loss of 56 staff.
Deputy O’Shea called for emergency recruitment measures, including faster hiring and collaboration with private providers and community organisations, to ensure approved care hours are actually delivered.
