Straight answers on
choosing care in Ireland.
Short, honest answers to the questions families ask most — from Fair Deal to HIQA to how to pick a home care agency.
Latest articles
Dementia care in Ireland — specialist units, the Alzheimer Society, and funding
From the memory clinic referral to funding a specialist memory unit — how dementia care works in Ireland, and the organisations that help families navigate it.
Signs it may be time to move to a nursing home — an honest checklist
The decision rarely turns on one moment — it's the accumulation of smaller signs. A clear, unsentimental list of the signals that matter and the ones families most often miss.
Home care vs nursing home — which is right for your family
Most Irish families don't choose between home care and a nursing home — they move through both. Here's how to think about the decision and what actually tips the balance.
HIQA inspection reports — how to read them before choosing a home
Every Irish nursing home is inspected unannounced by HIQA and the reports are public. Here's how to find them, read the judgments honestly, and spot the red flags that matter most.
Nursing home tax relief — how much you can actually claim back from Revenue
Most medical expenses get tax relief at 20%. Nursing home fees are one of the few that qualify at your marginal rate — up to 40%. Here's how to calculate what you're owed and how to claim it.
Carer's Allowance vs Carer's Benefit — which one applies to you
Ireland runs two separate payments for people caring for a family member full-time. They cover the same need but qualify under completely different rules. Here's how to figure out which one applies.
HSE home support hours — how to get them and what they cover
The HSE Home Support Service funds personal care, help with daily activities and some respite — at home, free of charge, without a means test. Here's how eligibility and allocation work.
How to apply for Fair Deal — the paperwork, step by step
A complete walk-through of the Fair Deal application — which forms you need, where to send them, what happens at each HSE assessment, and what to do if you disagree with the outcome.
Fair Deal explained — 2026 rates, the 3-year cap, and when you pay what
The Fair Deal scheme pays most of the cost of long-term nursing home care in Ireland — here's how your contribution is calculated, including the 3-year cap that protects your home.
Frequently asked questions
The things people ask us about most often.