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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Clonmel children’s disability network

Summary

Mattie McGrath described a severe staffing crisis in the Clonmel CDNT, with major vacancy rates and long waiting lists for assessment. The Taoiseach cited national improvements in CDNT staffing and waiting lists but accepted the Tipperary situation was serious and said the HSE would be asked to investigate.

The children's disability network team in Clonmel is in crisis. Over 60% of posts are vacant and by year end, that will rise to 72%. Eleven positions have been unfilled for years. Two therapists are going on maternity leave, whom I wish well, which will leave only three administrative staff, one social worker and one disability nurse. There will be no occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist or speech and language therapist. This is a service meant to support hundreds of children with complex needs. Right now, 114 children are waiting for assessment, 59 of them for more than 12 months, breaching legal limits, as Cara Darmody pointed out to the Taoiseach. A total of 475 children are on the case load, facing huge delays. Families are desperate and children are regressing. Parents fight daily for basic rights. This is just not acceptable. Funding is not a problem. Does the Taoiseach accept that this is a crisis? What emergency measures will he take to fill these vacancies? Will he acknowledge that this is a national scandal because people have contacted me from all over the country? It is the same in Kildare and all over. Cashel is the same way, with only 35% occupancy. This is not acceptable for young people. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. I know the Taoiseach wants to do that but this is just unacceptable. Some intervention has to be made to rectify this.

Comment on this

Nationally, CDNT waiting lists have fallen by 18%. More importantly, workforce growth is a priority. Despite recruitment challenges, staffing across the 93 CDNTs grew by 26%. That is an extra 415 people between October 2023 and 2025.

Comment on this

I am talking about Tipperary.

Comment on this

The vacancy rate has come down. It now stands at 18%, down from 29%. What the Deputy has outlined in Tipperary is a very serious issue. I think the Deputy said the vacancy rate will be 72% by the end of the year. Something is wrong there. I do not know what-----

Comment on this

It is serious.

Comment on this

We will engage with the HSE to try to get to the bottom of that.

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