Ireland is facing a major long-term care challenge, with the need for family carers projected to rise by as much as 58% over the next 14 years. The warning places renewed focus on the financial, emotional and practical pressures carried by families supporting older relatives.
What the new report says
A new study from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimates that demand for family care in Ireland could increase by roughly 50% to 60% during the period ahead. The projected rise is linked to Ireland’s ageing population and the growing number of people likely to require help with daily living, health needs and long-term support.
The report describes family carers as central to Ireland’s long-term care system. Their work often takes place outside formal services, yet it can determine whether an older person is able to remain living at home rather than moving into residential care.
The findings also highlight the gender dimension of unpaid care. Women make up the majority of family carers, meaning the impact of rising demand is likely to be felt particularly strongly by mothers, daughters, wives and other female relatives who combine caring responsibilities with employment or household duties.
Why Ireland’s ageing population matters
Ireland’s demographic profile is changing. People are living longer, while the proportion of older residents is increasing. Longer life expectancy is a positive social development, but it also means more people may need assistance with mobility, medication, personal care or household tasks as they age.
That shift has consequences for families, the health service and public policy. When formal care capacity is limited or difficult to access, relatives frequently fill the gap. They may provide care every day, organise medical appointments, manage finances or adapt their homes to meet changing needs.
The projected increase does not mean every family will experience the same level of responsibility. Care needs vary according to a person’s health, disability, living arrangements and access to community services. However, the overall direction is clear: Ireland will need more people providing care, and greater support for those who do so.
The pressure on family carers
Family caring can affect several areas of life at once. Common pressures include:
- Reduced working hours or withdrawal from employment
- Higher household costs linked to transport, equipment and home adaptations
- Stress, exhaustion and reduced opportunities for rest
- Difficulty accessing respite, information and coordinated services
- Concerns about balancing care with childcare and other responsibilities
These pressures can also influence household finances. A person who leaves work or reduces their hours may lose income while facing additional expenses. The ESRI findings therefore strengthen calls for improved financial assistance and better recognition of unpaid care in Ireland.
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What support may be needed?
The report’s warning points to the need for a broader approach to long-term care. Financial payments are important, but families may also need reliable services that reduce the amount of care required from relatives.
Potential areas for policy attention include:
- Stronger financial support: Assistance should reflect the real costs associated with unpaid caring and the income families may lose.
- Accessible respite care: Short breaks can help carers protect their own health and continue caring sustainably.
- Better community services: Home support, day services and local health teams can help older people remain independent.
- Workplace flexibility: Flexible hours and carers’ leave may help people stay connected to employment.
- Clearer information: Families need straightforward guidance on entitlements, assessments and available services.
Support must also be easy to navigate. Families can struggle when responsibility is divided between different agencies, or when they have to repeat the same information to access health and social care. A more coordinated system could reduce that administrative burden.
What happens next for long-term care in Ireland?
The ESRI projection provides evidence for policymakers considering how Ireland should prepare for demographic change. Government decisions on home care, pensions, disability supports, residential care and carers’ payments will all affect how the additional demand is managed.
The central question is whether future care needs will be met mainly by relatives working without sufficient support, or through a balanced system that combines family involvement with properly funded public and community services.
For families, the issue is immediate as well as long term. Anyone providing regular care should seek information about available supports through official health and social care channels. Eligibility can depend on individual circumstances, and professional advice may be needed when care requirements change.
Frequently asked questions
How much is demand for family care expected to rise?
The ESRI study projects an increase of approximately 50% to 60% over the next 14 years, with the upper estimate representing a rise of up to 58%.
Why is demand expected to increase?
Ireland’s ageing population is expected to create greater need for assistance with daily activities, health needs and long-term support.
Who provides most family care?
Women currently make up the majority of family carers, according to the report’s summary of the role played by unpaid carers in Ireland’s care system.
Why does the report call for improved financial support?
Family carers may face extra costs, reduced earnings and significant time demands. Better financial assistance could help recognise and lessen those pressures.
The wider significance for Ireland
This is not only a health policy issue. It also affects employment, household income, equality and the sustainability of public services. If families are expected to provide more care, decisions about support will shape whether people can remain in work, maintain their own health and provide safe care over time.
Ireland’s ageing population will require planning well before demand reaches its projected level. The ESRI findings give policymakers a clear signal: family carers will remain essential, but they cannot be treated as an unlimited or cost-free source of long-term care.
The key takeaway is clear: as the need for family carers in Ireland rises, stronger financial help, accessible services and coordinated long-term care will be essential to protect both older people and the families supporting them.
