HSE home care waiting lists exceed 5,300 in Q1 2026, regional inequalities persist (sinnfein.ie)

• HSE home care waiting lists over 5,300 in Q1 2026, up 9.5% year-on-year
• Unmet need for extra hours rose 17%; new packages stagnant at ~2,200
• Regional inequalities: east coast and western regions worst affected

"HSE data released to Sinn Féin's David Cullinane TD shows home care waiting lists surpassed 5,300 in the first three months of 2026, a 9.5% increase year-on-year. Unmet need for additional hours rose 17%, while new package waitlists remained stagnant at nearly 2,200. Regional disparities emerged, with the east coast from Louth to Waterford and western regions experiencing significant growth."