Dissatisfaction Grows in Home Care Sector Over Lack of Permits for Non-EU Nationals
Dublin: The home care sector in Ireland is facing significant turmoil, exacerbated by the government’s stance on staffing shortages. Despite widespread awareness of the critical shortage of workers in this field, the government has yet to acknowledge the severity of the problem. As a result, timely care for those in need, particularly during holidays, remains unattainable.
With population growth and other factors indicating a substantial increase in demand for home care services in the coming years, those working in the sector are frustrated by the government’s failure to recognise and address this reality. The decision to restrict non-EU workers from entering the home care sector, driven by an inter-departmental group that determines which sectors can admit non-EU workers, has only intensified these concerns. The government’s decision was based on the conclusion that there is no significant labour shortage in this sector, a claim strongly contested by Home and Community Care Ireland, which highlights an acute shortage of home care workers nationwide.
While recruitment efforts continue in a bid to alleviate this shortage, the government’s reluctance to grant work permits to more non-EU workers for home care positions remains a significant barrier. The Minister for Justice has informed Dail that policies regarding this issue will be clarified in the coming months, with an increase in home care recruitment anticipated.
In contrast, the government has stated that it will maintain its policy of issuing health care assistant permits specifically for nursing homes. The government also criticised home care providers for their failure to guarantee working hours and cover travel expenses for home carers. The Minister explained in Dail that many home care providers are unwilling to bear the costs associated with travel between clients’ homes, which often impedes the delivery of quality care services.
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