Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Hibernia Care
Are your carers qualified nurses?
Our Carers are fully qualified Healthcare Assistants who hold a QQI Level 5 Qualification in Healthcare, some carers have additional specialist training in areas like Disability Care & Palliative Care. The quality and safety of our care are overseen by Qualified Registered Nurses, although we are a non-medical service.
What is the cost?
Our hourly rates vary based on the duration of the shift, time of day and day of the week. Our basic hourly rate for private care is €34.90 per hour, although tax relief at up to 40% is available on this charge.
Do you provide Live-in Care or overnights?
We can tailor the care to suit the client’s care needs. We can build a support package comprising of home care hours, overnight shifts and/or block hours along with publicly funded hours to provide a comprehensive care package for you or your loved one.
If we are waiting for a Home care package, will private care affect this?
We can start providing care now on a private basis to ensure you or your loved one’s needs are met while you are waiting for approval for a publicly funded HSE care package. Having private carers doesn’t affect your entitlement to HSE-funded care in any way. If/when your HSE-funded hours are approved, you may wish to have us provide them, or continue to maintain your supplemental private hours.
Can we cancel private care when they get HSE hours?
When your HSE-funded hours are approved, you may wish to have us provide them through our contract with the HSE or continue to maintain your supplemental private hours in addition to them. You can keep the same carers that you’ve already become familiar with.
If a client goes into hospital or respite, are we still charged?
We ask that you give plenty of notice of any planned pause to your care package delivery so that we can give plenty of notice to our carers and re-allocate them if necessary. Where a sudden change occurs such as due to illness and hospitalisation, we have a clear policy in place to deal with short-notice cancellations which is detailed in your service agreement. We’ll go through all the details with you before you commence with our service.
What tasks are the carers permitted to do?
Our qualified Healthcare Assistants can help you with personal care, washing and dressing, light housework, meal preparation and medication prompting. We can also help with mobility, taking exercise, going out for social events or visits or assisting with recreation. Our carers are also happy to spend quality time with our clients. Where your needs require additional support, we can also tailor the care provided to the needs of people living with dementia or those who are approaching the end of their life.
Can carers accompany clients to appointments?
Yes, our carers can accompany clients to routine planned appointments outside the home and this requirement can be included in the client’s care plan.
Questions About Recruitment
Do I need a car?
Carers with a full driving licence and use of a car during working hours are preferred as this gives us more flexibility with scheduling however many of our staff walk to and from work caring for people in their own communities and others use public transport options or cycle. We provide a travel allowance for all staff and a generous rate of reimbursement for drivers based on the distance travelled for work purposes.
I only have one of the required QQI modules, can I complete the other one with you?
Yes, we have our training facility ‘The Hibernia Academy for Care’ which can assist you in obtaining your QQI modules required to work as a Home Carer.
Can I be flexible?
Home Care can be a very flexible career opportunity. There is demand for carers throughout the day including work in the evenings and weekends. Naturally, the more flexible you are, the more hours per week we can guarantee you work. We can build a schedule that works for you, the client and us.
How long is the Academy for Care?
Our academy runs for 3 weeks Monday – Friday and is based in our training facility in our Head Office in Finglas, Dublin 11. -Classes start at 9.30 am to 4 pm and are all in person, supported by a QQI accredited Healthcare Tutor.
What are the pay rates?
Our pay rates for qualified carers start at a basic per-hour rate of €15.00 per hour. We pay premiums for hours worked in the evening, on Saturdays and on Sundays & Public Holidays. In addition to our market leading rates, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to staff which can include matched pension, health insurance, life cover, employee assistance programme and wellbeing support. We also provide excellent travel.
