Abstract

This report represents the culmination of the CO-AGE project, which sought to explore the co-operative model of home care provision and consider its potential to be developed in Ireland. Cooperatives are “people-centred enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their members to realise their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations” (International Cooperative Alliance, n.d. a). Unlike businesses that are motivated by profit, co-operatives are driven by values of democracy, self-help, self-responsibility, solidarity, equality and equity.

The report includes brief case studies of two care co-operatives to illustrate how the co-operative model can be applied in the care sector. Through focus groups, we hear the voices of care workers,family carers, people who are interested in planning for their own future care needs, and representatives of key organisations and sectors that could potentially support the development ofcare co-operatives in Ireland.