Caring sector could provide opportunity for jobs growth

THE CARING sector is a “future growth area” for employment on the Atlantic seaboard, according to the Western Development Commission (WDC).

Ageing population trends also mean that caring should be a “national priority”, with adequate training and education provided, the commission has said.

The recommendation is one of a number made by the WDC in a report on employment challenges in the western region.

The report, entitled Work in the West: the Western Region's Employment and Unemployment Challenge, analyses the region's current employment profile and urges a balanced regional approach to recovery.

It notes that the unemployment rate has doubled in a year in the west, rising from 5 per cent in the first quarter of 2008 to 10.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2009.

The report notes that education and skills levels improved overall in the region during the “boom years”, but more women than men have third-level qualifications – at 33.4 per cent of women, compared to just 23.1 per cent of men in 2008.

The caring sector is one of eight professional sectors earmarked for future growth by the WDC, which also identifies the potential in medical device manufacture – a recognised “cluster” in the west.

The 2006 census shows that the share of older people in the western region is higher than in the rest of the State, with more people in the 65-79 year old category (9.3 per cent in the west, compared to 8.2 per cent elsewhere), and in the 80 years and over category (3.3 per cent in the west, compared to 2.5 per cent elsewhere). As an indication of future demand, the region also has a higher share of people in the 50-65 year old age group. Some 30 per cent of people in the west are living alone, compared to 28.7 per cent on average nationally, and the proportion in this category in Co Leitrim is 35 per cent.

It says that the consequent demand for services for older people in the west is likely to be higher than in other areas of the State, and notes that care options which allow people to remain in their own home, or to be supported with assisted living, will become more popular.

The need for respite services for home carers will also increase, it says.

Currently, there is no mandatory qualification requirement for healthcare assistants, one of the occupations most involved in healthcare, the WDC report notes. However, regulations for mandatory qualifications for those looking after the elderly are planned, and this will require additional provision of education and training, it says.

Educational and training organisations and colleges in the region could become “leaders” in professional development of the sector, and application of best practice for elder care should be a priority, it says.

It says that there are important social and economic reasons for identifying caring as a growth area. “The region’s demographic profile makes this a particularly important issue for more rural counties in the region,” it says.

The WDC is the statutory body promoting economic and social development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. The report was compiled by WDC policy analyst, Pauline White.