Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
413. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the HSE’s Disability Workforce Strategy; when it is expected to be completed and published; whether it will include measurable targets on recruitment, retention, vacancies and agency reliance across disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE is developing 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.
Drafting of the new HSE Resourcing Strategy is currently underway through a Working Group led by HSE Recruitment, Reform and Resourcing, with Disability Workforce and Resourcing and the Regional Directors of People included in the membership. It is anticipated that a first draft of the Resourcing Strategy will be available in Quarter 3, with the final Strategy expected in Quarter 4.
Separately DCDE will be establishing a Disability Workforce Steering Group to provide strategic oversight of disability workforce expansion and to support the development and implementation of the Disability Workforce Strategy.
The HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy (PNS) 2026 for DCDE sets out the HSE's recruitment targets and staffing ceilings for the HSE and Section 38 organisations. This Strategy represents the first dedicated PNS for Disability Services, following the transfer of functions from the Department of Health in 2023. In 2026, we are funding an additional 976 whole-time equivalents (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. This growth is aligned to the targeted expansion of key services.
In parallel with the development of the Resourcing Strategy, 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. Specific initiatives for Disabilities underway or in development include:
• Delivery of the 2026 Health and Social Care Professional (HSCP) Graduate Sponsorship Programme, following the successful appointment of 45 new graduates into Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in 2025;
• Commencement of a CDNT Retention Research study over the summer, which will identify key factors supporting retention and workforce sustainability;
• Workforce diversification and pipeline development initiatives, including development of new roles tailored to disability services, such as the Care Assistant (Intellectual Disability) role.
Further targeted costed measures in support of workforce expansion and retention will be developed for consideration as part of the 2027 Estimates process.
