The Mayfield primary care occupational therapy team is supposed to have three full-time occupational therapists. This is already insufficient for the number of children who need special attention. I have been made aware that there is only one part-time therapist working on the team at this time. The current set-up is: one therapist is on maternity leave and her work is not being covered; the second left and has not been replaced; and, as stated, the third only works part time. I have also been made aware that the position in the centre when it comes to physiotherapy is exactly the same. It is hard enough to fight for one's a child. In this instance, parents are fighting on behalf of children with autism spectrum disorder.

It is a kick in the teeth when the services that are meant to be provided are not there. What is the Government going to do to resolve this issue, which is having an impact across the nation?

Fundamentally, it is about recruitment and retention. What is the name of the service?

It is Mayfield primary care centre.

The Deputy outlined the situation. One person is on maternity leave - I will check with the HSE about that because there should be a locum operating in that role - and another has left. The recruitment and retention of therapists has been a real issue for the HSE. There have been additional resources provided. Progress is slow. Approximately 272 extra whole-time equivalent staff were recruited last year. A further 111 are expected to join soon. The national vacancy rate dropped from 29% to 21% in 2024. How that manifests in the case of Mayfield is a different matter. I will try to ascertain the position in that regard. The Deputy's point is well made. We are alert to the need to recruit and to retain staff.