Cover International Journal of Care and Caring
International Journal of Care and Caring

Home care professionals’ views on working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Ireland

Authors: Julien Mercille1, Justin Edwards1, and Nicholas O’Neill1
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  • 1 University College Dublin, , Ireland
Article Category:
Research Article
Copyright:
© Policy Press 2022
Online Publication Date:
10 Jan 2022
Pages:
85–102
Publisher:
Policy Press
Volume/Issue:
Volume 6: Issue 1-2
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1332/239788221X16345464319417
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This article examines home care professionals’ views on working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it identifies similarities and differences between private, public and non-profit providers. The article seeks to shed light on the impacts of marketisation/privatisation on working conditions during the pandemic. Statistical tests on 350 questionnaires received from care workers in Ireland demonstrate the difficult working conditions during COVID-19 and variations by type of employer. We discuss an apparent ‘return of the state’ in home care provision during the pandemic, which may have dampened differences between types of providers.

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