95 in Kerry were waiting for homecare support, and 891 in the rest of the HSE South West region
The number of people waiting for homecare services increased by 13% in one year, rising from 4,805 people to 5,406 people waiting for a carer assignment.
That according to HSE parliamentary question responses to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice.
HSE head of services for older people, Kathleen Jordan told Deputy Rice that the growing proportion of the population aged over 65 is the primary driver of increased demand for home support services.
She quoted a recent ESRI publication which projected this segment of the population to grow from 780,000 people in 2022 to over 1.3 million by 2040.
The Cork TD was assured that the waiting list was not being caused by inadequate funding, but rather because staff shortages are preventing carers being assigned.
