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CareMapIreland

Private care

Private home care (paid privately)

Care bought directly from a private provider, sometimes used to top up or bridge publicly funded support.

Commercial — paid privately

Last reviewed: not yet reviewedNeeds review

Private home care is a legitimate option, particularly while a public application is being processed or where the approved hours do not cover the need.

We show it as a clearly separated, optional pathway. We are not paid to recommend providers and we do not rank them. Any future commercial relationship will be labelled on the page it appears on.

Who it's generally for

Families who need cover sooner or in addition to approved public support, and can pay for it.

What it provides

  • Care hours arranged directly with a provider and paid for privately
  • Often quicker to start, and more flexible on times

The eligibility and assessment caveat

This is a paid service, not a State scheme. Private care is not better than public support — it is simply purchased. Applying for public support at the same time is usually still worthwhile. Costs, contracts and staff vetting vary between providers.

What to do next

  1. Continue any public application while you arrange private cover
  2. Ask several providers for written hourly rates, minimum visit lengths and cancellation terms
  3. Ask how staff are vetted, trained and supervised, and who covers absences
  4. Check whether any tax relief on care costs applies to your circumstances

Documents and information worth preparing

  • The hours and tasks you actually need, written down
  • A budget and how long you expect to need it
  • The person's routine, medication needs and preferences

Questions worth asking

  • What is the hourly rate, including weekends, evenings and bank holidays?
  • Is there a minimum visit length or a minimum weekly commitment?
  • How are your staff vetted and supervised, and will it be the same carer?
  • What happens if our carer is sick or on leave?
  • How much notice is needed to reduce or cancel hours?

Official sources

We summarise. The organisations below are the authority on current rules, rates and thresholds.

Our commercial position

We are not paid to show this pathway, we do not rank providers, and we take no referral fees. If that ever changes, the relationship will be stated on this page. Read our methodology.