Where to get help as a family carer in Ireland
Last reviewed: 17 July 2026
If you're coordinating care for a relative, you'll likely end up dealing with more than one organisation — and that's normal, not a sign you're doing something wrong. Citizens Information, the HSE, and Family Carers Ireland cover different ground: entitlements and rights, health services, and carer-specific support. Below is each one, what they actually do, and how to reach them.
Citizens Information
What they do: Citizens Information is the state-funded, independent information and advocacy service for social and civil rights in Ireland — entitlements, benefits, Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit, tax, employment rights, and legal processes like Enduring Power of Attorney. They don't provide medical care or carry out health assessments; they tell you what you're entitled to and how to apply.
When to contact them: Checking eligibility for a payment or grant, understanding a form, or getting a plain-English explanation of an entitlement or legal process.
How to contact them: Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS) —0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm. Calling from outside Ireland: +353 21 229 8178. Or visitcitizensinformation.ie.
HSE
What they do: The HSE is Ireland's public health service. They run hospitals, primary care, home support, Fair Deal and other health-related schemes, and can direct you to your Local Health Office for services like home care packages or occupational therapy assessments.
When to contact them: Anything about a relative's health service, hospital discharge, home support hours, or applying for a health-related scheme. Never call HSE Live for a medical emergency — if someone is seriously ill, injured, or at risk of dying, call 999 or 112.
How to contact them: HSE Live — 1800 700 700, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm. Or visithse.ie/services/hse-liveto find your Local Health Office.
Family Carers Ireland
What they do: Family Carers Ireland is the national charity dedicated specifically to family carers — not the person being cared for, but the carer. They offer emotional support, practical guidance, and can connect you to local carer support groups and Support Centres around the country.
When to contact them: When you need someone who understands the carer role specifically — for a listening ear, help navigating Carer's Allowance or Benefit, finding a local support group, or information on respite and training.
How to contact them: National Freephone Careline —1800 24 07 24, Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm, Friday 9am to 5pm (calls outside these hours are handled by the Samaritans). Free from Irish landlines and mobiles. Or visitfamilycarers.ie.
Related reading: Who do I call?,equipment and funding directory, and thesupport services directory. Curious why this site exists in the first place? See about.
If you're looking for a way to coordinate care with your family day-to-day — shared schedules, notes, and tasks between everyone involved — that's a separate thing from the services above, but one option worth a look:
See how FamilyCare Hub can help you coordinate care