There are supposed to be six whole-time equivalent psychology posts in County Wexford's children's disability network team. There are currently only two in situ. This renders the disability network team almost unworkable, considering the waiting lists. Four posts are still vacant. Two of the four positions have been vacant since August and September 2021. This is causing untold damage and severe pressure for families, and most of all for the vulnerable children themselves. Children's disability network teams provide support services for all children with significant teams and who require a team of professionals working together, but they cannot function when two thirds of the staff are missing. How long will this be allowed to continue for? When will all these posts be filled? Families are suffering. Vulnerable children are left without proper services. The current staff in the Wexford disability network team are stretched to their limit. People in Wexford are feeling totally let down by this abject failure to provide professional services for their vulnerable children.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am aware it is taking a long time to recruit to those posts. I have been in contact with the HSE. It is re-advertising some of those positions. It is a failure within the HSE that it takes so long, approximately 40 weeks, to fill a post. We are all addressing it across Government.