2907. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures the HSE have undertaken to recruit and retain more staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57608/26]

Strengthening the disability workforce is essential to delivering on the step change in disability services commitment contained in the Programme for Government.

Although global shortages of qualified healthcare professionals continue to pose challenges, progress on recruitment is being made with the disability workforce expanding year on year. Between December 2019 and June 2026, the disability workforce across the HSE and Section 38 providers grew from 18,273 WTE to 23,159 WTE, representing an increase of almost 27%.

The October 2025 Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) Workforce Report indicates that there has been a 28% increase in CDNT staffing levels nationwide in the preceding two years. This equates to an additional 448 WTE, making a significant difference in children's disability services.

Building on growth achieved in 2025, Budget 2026 allows for further targeted expansion in the workforce across key services, including Residential and Respite Services, Day Services, Children’s Services and Neurorehabilitation. In 2026, DCDE is funding an additional 976 WTE as well as 74 WTE in agency conversion, providing for total growth of 1,050 WTE and bringing the disability workforce to over 23,600 by the end of the year.

The HSE and lead agencies are actively working to optimise recruitment into disability services and CDNTs, which in turn has a positive impact on retaining the staff already working in the sector. The HSE maximises applicant engagement opportunities on an ongoing basis to encourage uptake of vacancies in Disability services, including recruitment fairs, outreach to third level colleges and secondary schools, presence at national events as well as virtual engagements.

In 2026 the HSE is developing targeted retention actions and innovative recruitment campaigns to address persistent vacancies and optimise recruitment across all service providers, ensuring the workforce reaches its funded level.

The HSE has commissioned a national CDNT retention research project to identify the factors influencing recruitment and retention within CDNTs and to develop evidence-based short, medium and long-term workforce recommendations. This research will form the evidence base for future retention policy.

The HSE have enabled funded agencies to advertise their vacant posts through HSE advertisement channels, which provides agencies with direct access to the substantial candidate pools registered on the HSE CareerHub portal. The HSE also provides significant relocation supports for Irish trained professionals who wish to return from abroad and have worked with CORU to streamline registration processes significantly reducing waiting times.

Additionally, the Department is supporting the HSE to develop a Disability Workforce Strategy in 2026, to respond to growing service demands and to address recruitment and retention challenges across specialist disability services. The Strategy is being developed as a distinct and visible strand within the broader HSE Resourcing Strategy 2026-2029. It will set out specific, targeted actions for disability services, while remaining fully aligned with wider national workforce reform. This will position Disability workforce needs as a core HSE priority.