New figures also show over 5,000 people are on waiting lists for home support.
Image via pexels.comThe HSE has budgeted for over 24 million home-help hours this year, to help elderly and vulnerable people to continue to live independently.
But it will fall far short of delivering that.
As of the end of May, only 8.7 million were given to over 55,000 people around the country.
The HSE estimates about 35,000 hours worth of care will not be delivered every week this year, because of staff shortages.
That amounts to over 1.8 million over the course of 2022.
Sinn Fein's health spokesman, David Cullinane, says urgent action is needed to recruit more staff.
Cullinane said: "I think in this instance when it comes to home help it's terms and conditions of employment.
"It's a really difficult job with very low rate of pay and it's one of those areas that's been a real difficulty and a challenge for a long time and I just don't see any plan from the HSE in relation to how they're going to address this issue.
The problem, if anything seems to be getting worse and worse every year."
