Faq
Frequently Asked Questions.
Below are the questions families most commonly ask us. If you cannot find the answer you need, please contact us directly — we are happy to help.
What is live-in care?
Live-in care means a professional carer lives in your home and provides support throughout the day and night, allowing your loved one to remain in familiar surroundings.
How much does live-in care cost?
Our subscription starts from €899/month (VAT inclusive), including 3+ carer introductions across your first 6 months, with further introductions arranged as needed after that — or you can arrange a single one-off introduction for €1,200. In both cases, the carer’s own weekly fee (typically from around €840/week) is agreed directly between the family and the carer. Families should also budget for normal household costs associated with having a live-in carer, such as food, heating and electricity. We’ll discuss expected costs with you as part of the assessment process, so you have a clear picture before proceeding.
Do you provide 24/7 care?
Yes — carers we introduce live in the home and provide support day and night. The carer is directly engaged by the family, while Circadian provides the introduction and ongoing support around the arrangement.
How quickly can care be arranged?
We aim to have care in place within approximately three weeks of initial contact, depending on your needs and location.
Will we have the same carer?
We prioritise continuity, and aim to introduce carers for extended placements that help build familiarity, trust and a strong understanding of your loved one’s routines and preferences.
What if the carer is unavailable?
In the unlikely event a carer is unexpectedly unable to continue, we’ll make every reasonable effort to introduce a suitable replacement as quickly as possible, including at short notice or in an emergency.
How do I know what care is being given?
Families can use our Circadian app as part of their arrangement — a convenient way to stay informed about day-to-day care, including routines, meals, activities and carer notes, helping everyone involved stay connected.
Can you visit our home before we decide?
Yes. Following an initial consultation, we can arrange a home visit to discuss your requirements and assess the suitability of the proposed arrangement — including the home environment, accessibility, safety, and accommodation for the live-in carer. The visit is free, with no obligation to proceed.
The visit is free of charge and there is no obligation to proceed.
What does the home assessment cover?
We assess the suitability of the proposed arrangement, including mobility and accessibility needs, home safety, lighting, bathroom suitability, and the availability and suitability of accommodation for the live-in carer.
What conditions do you support?
We introduce families to carers experienced in supporting a wide range of needs, including dementia, older people, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, MS, Huntington’s disease, learning disabilities and end-of-life care.
What makes you different from other agencies?
We specialise in live-in care introductions across Ireland, with a particular focus on continuity, carefully considered carer introductions and personal support for families. As an independent Irish company, we take a personal approach to matching families with suitable carers, building arrangements based on trust, consistency, clear communication and respect for everyone involved.
Can we contact you directly?
Yes. Families have direct access to their dedicated Circadian contact for questions, guidance and support throughout their arrangement. We don’t operate a call centre — you speak directly with someone who knows your arrangement.
Are your carers experienced?
Yes. We carefully consider each carer’s experience, qualifications and suitability when making introductions. We believe treating carers fairly and offering competitive rates helps attract and retain good-quality professionals.
Do you help coordinate medical care?
Where appropriate, families and carers can continue to work with the client’s existing healthcare professionals and support services. Our role is to support the live-in care arrangement and provide practical guidance where needed, rather than to coordinate or provide medical care.
What is the Fair Deal Scheme?
Fair Deal is a government scheme that helps fund nursing home care in Ireland. It currently does not extend to home-based live-in care, though we actively advocate for this to change.
Are there tax benefits for home care?
Yes. Families paying for qualifying home care costs may be able to claim income tax relief at their standard or higher rate of income tax (currently 20% or 40%, depending on individual circumstances). The relief available depends on individual circumstances, so we recommend speaking with Revenue or an accountant for guidance specific to your situation.
What areas do you cover?
We introduce families to live-in carers across Ireland. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and confirm availability in your area.
What qualifications do your carers have?
Our carers hold, or are working towards, QQI Level 5 qualifications in care, and are expected to maintain ongoing training in areas such as moving and handling, infection prevention and control, food hygiene and first aid. We carefully consider each carer’s experience, qualifications, references and suitability before making an introduction.
What is Garda vetting, and is it done for the carers you introduce?
Garda vetting is a check run through the National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána. It is requested by an organisation registered with the Bureau and gives a disclosure about a person’s criminal record and any specific information held about them.
Circadian Live In Care is an introductory agency, not a care provider. We introduce families to carers and request a current Garda vetting certificate from each carer. Who to hire, and what checks they are happy with, is always the family’s decision.
What checks apply to a carer who has come from another country?
Garda vetting only covers records held in Ireland. For a carer who has lived or worked in another country, a police certificate or equivalent record from that country can also be requested. What is available, and how long it takes, varies from country to country.
When we introduce a carer who has lived abroad, we request a police certificate from their home country and from any other country where they have lived.
Does the Organisation of Working Time Act apply to the carer?
The Organisation of Working Time Act, which covers things like maximum working hours and rest breaks, applies to employees. Self-employed contractors are not covered by it in the same way.
Carers we introduce are engaged directly by the family, and the working arrangement is between the family and the carer. Circadian Live In Care is an introductory agency and does not employ the carer or set their hours.
A self-employed carer is not paid by the hour. The arrangement is built around the care that needs to be done. The carer is available to the family throughout, and sensible downtime is part of the arrangement, giving both the carer and the person receiving care the space and rest they need.
Every family’s situation is different. We look at each family’s needs individually when introducing a carer, and the terms of the arrangement are then agreed directly between the family and the carer.