Childrens Disability Network Teams

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for this opportunity. This is an issue that has been consistently raised at the committees on education and autism. The staffing issues are a big problem. Does the Minister have the pertinent statistics for CHO5 where I am? As Deputy McAuliffe said, it is not just per CHO. There are individual areas within each CHO, such as west Waterford, where it has been extremely difficult to recruit and retain people to the CDNTs. They are of pivotal importance. This is a huge stumbling block for parents. They get past the initial assessment of needs and think they will access the services their child requires but then find the CDNTs are not adequately staffed and the services are not being provided.

Deputy Roderic O’Gorman

I thank the Deputies. I understand the very real focus this issue has for so many Deputies. The numbers that Deputy Ó Cathasaigh requested for his CHO are deeply concerning. Of 192 positions that are provided 111 are filled at present with 81 unfilled. This is a 42% vacancy rate. It is even higher than what we discussed earlier and it is deeply disturbing. It is having a very real impact on children and on their parents and their level of worry.

I agree with Deputy McAuliffe in that I do not like relying on the private sector. It should be a question of building up State capacity. At the same time, however, when issues are in as much a crisis as we have now, we must look at all elements, especially in terms of the provision of assessments to get that element done. We are going to have to talk about that element of assessment. As we know, the court case last year had a very significant impact. A new standard operating procedure is being brought forward at the moment. I hope that can bridge some of that gap, but the issue of ensuring the availability of assessment does not impact on the delivery of therapies is something with which we will have to grapple.