Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1040. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the Department receives routine reports on Children’s Disability Network Team vacancy duration, staffing deficits, or delayed intervention risks. [40103/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department receives regular preliminary performance data from the HSE and twice-yearly CDNT Workforce reports from the HSE. This data includes metrics on CDNT staffing and vacancies and is used to support CDNT requests for funding. The next CDNT Workforce report is expected in June this year.
A new national data system is being introduced to CDNTs which will facilitate CDNMs and Lead Agencies to examine service provision in better detail and generate monthly and quarterly metrics.
The most recent figures received from the HSE indicate that the national CDNT waiting list has reduced from 16,522 children awaiting an initial contact with a Children’s Disability Network Team in 2023 to 8,648 children at the end of February 2026. Children’s Disability Network Teams provided services nationally to 45,141 children as of February 2026.
Progress is also being made on the recruitment of staff to CDNTs with the HSE reporting a 28% increase in staffing levels nationwide from October 2023 to October 2025. This equates to an additional 448 Whole-Time Equivalents (WTE), including an additional 321 Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs).
To continue this growth, the HSE is driving intensive domestic and international recruitment efforts and will undertake a variety of workforce initiatives to support sustained growth of Children’s Disability Network Teams and the wider disability service.
A dedicated Disability Workforce Strategy will be developed by the HSE in 2026, to meet growing service demands and address recruitment and retention challenges across specialist disability services, including Children’s Disability Network Teams.
In addition, placements on CDNTs will continue to be expanded, alongside a continued expansion in the number of places in higher education, to develop the pipeline of future therapists.
The Programme for Government commits to doubling the number of college places for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists and social workers. This expansion will provide up to 461 additional student places by 2028, with the majority commenced in 2025.
In 2026, the HSE will develop 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.
