Social & Care Occupations

Key points for selected Social and Care occupations

• There were approximately 101,000 persons employed in the selected social and care occupations, accounting for 5.6% of total national employment
• At 50%, those employed as care workers, home carers and other carer workers accounted for the highest share of total employment in social and care occupations
• Employment in the selected occupations grew at an average annual rate of 1.8% over the period 2007-2011; overall employment in caring personal services occupations grew at the fastest pace during that period ― at 7.2% on average annually ― mainly due to an increase in the number of nursing auxiliaries and assistants
• Between 2007 and 2011, a net 6,900 additional jobs were created; the largest number of jobs was created for caring and personal services occupations (nursing auxiliaries and assistants) and care workers, home carers etc. ― 2,600 and 1,700 respectively
• Overall employment in social and care occupations expanded at a modest rate of 0.7% on average annually between 2010 and 2011, resulting in less than 1,000 net additional jobs
• Almost one quarter of the workforce of childminders and related occupations was composed of non-Irish nationals ― exceeding the national average of 12.4%
• The workforce of childminders and related occupations was the youngest among the selected occupations ― just over one fifth was aged 15-24; in contrast, the workforce of caring and personal services occupations was the most mature ― just over one quarter was aged 55 years and older
• Care workers, home carers etc. and caring personal workers (nursing auxiliaries and assistants) had attained the lowest level of education ― between 25-30% of persons employed in these occupations held lower secondary or less qualifications; in contrast, the majority of all employed social workers and welfare professionals held third level qualifications
• The overall workforce of most social and care occupations was predominantly female; the workforce of nursery nurses and assistants was exclusively female
• The share of the workforce who worked part-time for most occupations exceeded the national average of 23%; at 56%, the highest share of those in part-time employment was for nursery nurses and assistants

Shortage Indicators

There are currently no shortages of carers in Ireland. While there were over 200 new employment permits issued to non-EEA carers in 2011, the majority were issued to the spouses and dependants of existing employment permit holders.
The demand for carers is expected to continue to grow due to demographic changes including longer life expectancy and an ageing of the population. The demand for carers is also illustrated in recent job announcements (e.g. Comfort Keepers, Nursing Homes Ireland).