retirementservices.ie

Home care in Ireland is support delivered in your own home — typically home help hours, personal care and related services — and you find it by searching a home care directory by county, or by arranging an HSE-approved Home Care Package through an approved provider. Use a directory when you are choosing and comparing providers privately; use the HSE-approved route when your care is being funded or arranged through the health service. The guide below covers what home care includes, how to search, what a package contains, and how to check standards before you commit.

What home care in Ireland covers — and how it differs from a nursing home

Home care is designed to help you or a family member continue living at home. The services delivered through a home care package are described as flexible, but may include additional home help hours alongside other supports. In practice, this means the mix of tasks is agreed around the person's needs rather than being a fixed menu.

The key distinction from residential care is location and intensity:

If the person's needs have moved beyond what can safely be managed at home, the nursing homes directory and the site's Information Centre (covering cost of care, Fair Deal, tax relief and regulations) are the relevant next stops.

How to search a home care directory by county

The Retirement Care Services site is built as a county-by-county listing, which makes the search straightforward:

1. Open the Home Care Directory section. The site describes its aim as guiding you through a comprehensive list of home care providers in Ireland.
2. Select the relevant county link. Providers are reviewed by clicking the county link for your area — this is the site's stated method for both home care and convalescent care listings.
3. Record the provider details for each result in your county so you can compare them side by side.
4. Repeat for neighbouring counties if you live near a border or want more choice.

Expected result: a shortlist of home care providers operating in your county, with contact details you can use to ask about availability and assessment.

Common sticking point: the directory is a listing service, not a booking or vetting service. Inclusion in a directory does not by itself confirm HSE approval, so verify that separately (see below).

What an HSE-approved Home Care Package includes and who provides it

Since 1 September 2016, all new Home Care Packages approved by the HSE are provided by organisations approved by the HSE following a detailed tender process. That is the single most useful fact for anyone whose care is being arranged or funded through the HSE: the provider should be on the approved list.

On content, the site states that services provided through a home care package are flexible, but might include additional home help hours. Treat the package as a starting point for a conversation about the person's actual needs rather than a guaranteed set of tasks.

Two practical implications:

• Ask which route applies to you. If the HSE is approving your package, confirm the provider is HSE-approved. If you are arranging care privately, the approved-list question is still worth asking, but it is not the only marker of quality.
• Existing providers still operate. The site notes that existing providers also provide a quality service and work under agreed standards, which are monitored by staff in the local health office. So a provider not on the new approved list is not automatically unsuitable — but you should confirm which standards and monitoring apply to them.

How to check a provider's approval and standards

Use these checks before you sign up with any provider:

• Confirm HSE approval status for anyone delivering an HSE-approved Home Care Package, and ask for the basis of that approval.
• Ask about monitoring. For providers working under agreed standards, monitoring sits with staff in the local health office — ask the provider who monitors them and how recently.
• Cross-check the listing. The directory gives you the provider's contact details; use them to request confirmation in writing rather than relying on the listing alone.
• Check the Information Centre on the site for the regulatory and cost context that applies to care services in Ireland.

Practical steps to compare providers and arrange care

Once you have a county shortlist, compare on the same dimensions so the decision is like-for-like:

1. Availability in your area — confirm they actually cover your townland, not just the county.
2. What the hours cover — home help hours versus personal care; ask them to describe a typical week.
3. Approval and monitoring status — HSE-approved for packages, or working under agreed standards monitored by the local health office.
4. Who delivers the care — ask how cover works when a regular carer is unavailable.
5. Cost and funding route — establish whether the HSE package applies or you are paying privately; the site's Information Centre covers cost of care and tax relief.
6. References and a trial period — ask for references and whether a short trial of visits is possible.

Verification method: after each conversation, write down the answers to points 1–5 for every provider. If one provider cannot answer the approval or monitoring question clearly, that is your signal to look further.

Common sticking points to plan for:

• Timing. HSE-approved packages depend on approval and the tender-approved provider list, so start the process early rather than at the point of discharge.
• Post-hospital recovery. If the need is a period of recovery after surgery, major illness or an accident, the site also lists convalescent care providers by county — a different category from ongoing home care, and worth checking if the need is temporary.
• Directory coverage. The home care directory is a guide to providers, not a guarantee of places; always phone to confirm current availability.

For the residential alternative, the nursing homes directory and the related guides on choosing a nursing home, costs and Fair Deal cover the comparison in more depth.

Start with the county or province links in the Nursing Homes section of retirementservices.ie, shortlist homes near the person who will live there, then phone each home directly to confirm current vacancies, services and fees before comparing costs and checking Fair Deal eligibility. The directory is a starting point, not a live availability list: it currently covers 472 registered private nursing homes in Ireland caring for over 20,000 people, so treat every entry as a lead to verify rather than a confirmed option.

Step 1: Browse the directory by county or province

On the site, the Nursing Homes tab lists Featured Homes at the top, followed by links to all nursing homes by county or province. Use the county link for the area you are targeting — this keeps the shortlist practical, since most families need a home within reasonable travelling distance.

What to record for each candidate:

• Home name and address
• Phone and email from the listing
• Whether it appears under Featured Homes (paid placement — it tells you nothing about quality)
• Any listed service category, such as convalescent care

The same site also has a Convalescent Care section, organised by county, for people recovering after surgery, a major illness or an accident. If the need is short-term rehabilitation rather than long-term residence, check that section as well.

Step 2: Verify each home by phone or email

The directory gives contact details, not live bed availability. Phone each shortlisted home and ask directly:

1. Do you have a vacancy now, and what is the expected wait?
2. What level of care can you provide — general nursing, dementia care, high-dependency care?
3. What is the weekly fee, and what does it include (accommodation, meals, nursing, laundry, activities)?
4. What extra charges apply — for example physiotherapy, hairdressing, or specialised equipment?
5. Is the home registered, and what is its most recent inspection outcome?

Write the answers down for each home so you can compare like with like. A home that cannot answer clearly about fees or registration is a warning sign.

Step 3: Understand costs and the Fair Deal scheme

The site's Information Centre covers the Cost of Care, Nursing Homes Fair Deal, tax relief, hints and tips, and the regulations that apply to nursing homes. Use it to understand the two main ways of paying:

Fair Deal involves a financial assessment based on income and assets, so the amount payable varies by person. The directory's Information Centre is the place to start reading; for a decision about your own circumstances, confirm details with the HSE and, where relevant, take independent financial advice. Do not assume a listed fee is what you will pay — the fee quoted is the home's charge, and Fair Deal changes who pays which share.

Step 4: Compare shortlisted homes on the same criteria

Once you have two or three realistic options, compare them side by side using identical questions:

• Registration and inspection: is the home on the official register, and what did the most recent inspection find?
• Care level: can it meet the person's current needs, and would it have to move them if needs increase?
• Location: travel time for family visitors, and access to hospitals and GP services.
• Fee transparency: is the weekly fee all-in, or are there recurring extras?
• Fair Deal participation: does the home accept the scheme?
• Atmosphere and staffing: visit in person and observe staffing levels, cleanliness and how residents are treated.

A visit is the single most useful check. Phone answers and directory entries cannot tell you what a home feels like on a normal day.

Step 5: Cross-check when the directory looks incomplete or out of date

Directories of this kind are maintained listings and can lag behind closures, new openings or changed contact details. If a home's phone number fails, the address looks wrong, or you cannot find a home you expected to see:

• Search the official register of nursing homes maintained by the health regulator (HIQA in Ireland) to confirm the home is registered and currently operating.
• Check the home's own website for current contact details and fee information.
• Ask the HSE or your local health office about approved providers, particularly for Home Care Packages — since 1 September 2016, new HSE-approved Home Care Packages have been provided by organisations approved through a tender process, while existing providers continue under agreed standards monitored by local health office staff.
• If home care is an alternative to residential care, use the site's Home Care Directory, which lists providers by county.

Common sticking points

• Featured listings are advertising. Position at the top of the Nursing Homes tab reflects promotion, not quality or inspection results.
• "Registered" needs confirming. The site states there are 472 registered private nursing homes; verify any individual home against the official register before committing.
• Fees quoted by phone are provisional. Ask for the fee and inclusions in writing before you decide.
• Fair Deal is not automatic. Eligibility and the amount of State support depend on a means assessment, so plan for the possibility of paying privately, at least initially.
• Short-term needs are a different search. For post-hospital recovery, start with the Convalescent Care listings rather than long-term residential homes.

To find a nursing home in Ireland, start with a county or province directory of registered private nursing homes, then check each home against your care needs, cost and state support options. The directory at retirementservices.ie lists all private nursing homes in Ireland by county and province, and notes there are currently 472 registered private nursing homes caring for over 20,000 people. Use it to build a shortlist, then confirm costs and Fair Deal eligibility directly with each home and the HSE before deciding.

Build a shortlist from the directory

The site's Nursing Homes Directory is organised so you can move from a broad area to specific homes:

• Featured homes appear at the top of the Nursing Homes tab.
• County and province links below them lead to all nursing homes in that area.
• Each listing gives contact details you can use to arrange a visit or ask questions.

A practical approach is to shortlist by location first (close enough for family to visit), then filter by the type of care each home provides. If the person needs a period of recovery after hospital treatment, the site also lists providers of convalescent care by county, including nursing homes, care centres and retirement centres.

Understand costs and the Fair Deal scheme

The site's Information Centre covers the Cost of Care, the Nursing Homes Fair Deal scheme, tax relief on nursing home fees, and the regulations that apply to nursing homes. These are the four areas to review before committing:

The site does not publish specific fee figures or Fair Deal rates, so treat any number you see elsewhere as something to verify with the home and the HSE. Do not assume a listing implies a particular price or that state support is automatic.

Questions to ask before choosing

Once you have two or three candidates, use a visit and a phone call to test them on the same points:

• Is the home registered, and what is its most recent inspection outcome?
• What level of care can it provide — long-term, convalescent, or both?
• What are the full fees, and what is excluded?
• How does the home handle Fair Deal applications and paperwork?
• What are visiting arrangements and staffing levels at night and weekends?

Compare answers side by side rather than one home at a time, so differences in cost and care become clear.

Related options: home care and retirement villages

Not everyone needs a nursing home. The same directory covers:

• Home Care Directory — home care providers listed by county.
• Home Care Packages — since 1 September 2016, new HSE-approved packages are provided by organisations approved through a tender process; existing providers also work to agreed standards monitored by local health office staff. The site advises checking the list of approved providers.
• Retirement villages and independent living — for people who want to stay independent with support nearby.

A home care package is flexible and may include additional home help hours, so it is worth comparing against nursing home costs if the person's needs are moderate.

Next step

Pick your county in the Nursing Homes Directory, shortlist three homes, and read the Information Centre pages on Cost of Care and Fair Deal before your first visit. That gives you the cost and eligibility picture you need to ask the right questions in person.

Start with the home care directory on retirementservices.ie and browse by county to build a shortlist of providers serving your area. Then separate the list into two groups: organisations approved by the HSE to deliver Home Care Packages, and other established providers that work under agreed standards monitored by the local health office. Contact each provider directly using the listed phone or email to confirm service scope, cost, availability and how to arrange an assessment. The directory gives you contact details and county links; it does not publish prices, so treat cost as something you must ask about.

What the directory contains

The Home Care Directory section of Retirement Care Services is a county-by-county listing of home care providers in Ireland. The site describes it as a comprehensive list that you review by clicking the link for the relevant county. Each entry gives you the provider's contact details so you can make direct enquiries.

The same site also covers related services you may need alongside home care, including convalescent care after hospital treatment and its nursing homes directory. The site states there are currently 472 registered private nursing homes in Ireland caring for over 20,000 people, and its Information Centre covers topics such as the cost of care, Nursing Homes Fair Deal, tax relief and regulations. Those sections are useful if home care is not the right fit or if you need to compare it with residential options.

Step 1: Browse by county

1. Open the Home Care Directory section on retirementservices.ie.
2. Click the link for the county where care will be provided. The site organises listings this way, so the county is the main filter.
3. Note every provider listed for that county, along with phone numbers, email addresses and websites where shown.
4. If the person needing care lives near a county border, check the neighbouring county's list too, since providers may cover more than one area.

Expected result: a written shortlist of providers to contact, each with at least one contact method.

Step 2: Understand the two types of provider

The site makes a distinction that matters when you choose:

Neither group is described as better than the other. The practical difference is the funding route: if you are seeking a HSE Home Care Package, the provider must be on the approved list. If you are arranging and paying for care privately, both groups are worth contacting.

Step 3: Ask what the service actually includes

The site notes that services provided through a home care package are flexible but might include additional home help hours and other supports. Because packages vary, ask each provider specifically about:

• Home help hours — how many hours per week, and whether times can be adjusted.
• Personal care — whether help with washing, dressing and medication reminders is included.
• Respite or temporary care — whether short-term cover is available, for example after a hospital stay. The site separately lists convalescent care providers for recovery periods following surgery, major illness or accidents.
• Tasks excluded — what the provider will not do, so there are no surprises later.

Step 4: Ask about cost, availability and assessment

The directory does not publish prices, so cost must come from the provider. When you call or email, ask:

1. What are your rates, and is there a minimum number of hours per visit?
2. Is there a waiting list or current availability in this area?
3. How does your assessment work — who visits, and what does it cover?
4. If I want to apply through the HSE for a Home Care Package, what is the process and how long does it take?

For the HSE route, the site points to a list of approved Home Care Providers and notes that standards for other providers are monitored by staff in the local health office. If you are unsure about a provider's status, the local health office is the place to verify it.

Common sticking points

• Only checking one county. Providers near a border may serve your area but appear under a different county link.
• Assuming the directory lists prices. It does not; budget for a round of calls or emails to get quotes.
• Confusing a private arrangement with a HSE package. If you want HSE funding, start with the approved provider list, not the general county listing.
• Not asking about minimum visit lengths. A provider may have a minimum hours requirement that affects the total weekly cost.
• Skipping the assessment question. Ask how the assessment is arranged before you commit, so you know what information you will need to provide.

A quick checklist before you decide

• Shortlist at least three providers covering your county.
• Confirm each one's status: HSE-approved package provider, or other provider monitored by the local health office.
• Get written or emailed confirmation of rates, minimum hours and availability.
• Ask what the assessment involves and who carries it out.
• If using HSE funding, check the approved provider list and ask the local health office about verification and timelines.

Used this way, the directory is a starting point for contact details and county coverage. The decisions about cost, suitability and funding route are made in the conversations you have with each provider.