TD for Dublin Mid-West, Mark Ward, has voiced his disappointment at the level of vacancies in local services for children with disabilities. Deputy Ward was speaking after receiving a parliamentary question response in relation to vacancy rates in Clondalkin’s Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT). The Dublin Mid-West TD expressed his disappointment at the government’s complete failure in delivering fully staffed services and supports for disabled children and their families.
Teachta Ward said “One of the biggest issues that parents contact my office with is them trying to get vital disability services for their children. “Vacancy rates for specialist disability workers in Clondalkin’s CDNT are unacceptable . Figures returned to me show vacancy rates between 14% to 100% across various positions within the CDNT. “14% of physiotherapist, 35% of psychologist, 64% of occupational therapists, 67% speech and language therapists positions are vacant in the Clondalkin area
“There are currently no social workers or behaviour specialists working in the Clondalkin CDNT. “It breaks my heart every time I have to send a letter I received from the HSE to desperate parents , telling them that their child may have to wait years for these vital services. “Children are being denied the opportunity to reach their full potential. “The government is not doing enough to ensure the recruitment and retention of vital therapy staff to deliver desperately needed assessment of need reports and follow-up therapeutic interventions.
“Following on from this PQ response there is a national trend where there are now 817 staff vacancies in CDNTs compared to 707 in 2022 and 524 in 2021, as indicated in a census report.
“We keep hearing from the Minister and her Government colleagues that they are putting in place the necessary resources to improve the situation in CDNTs, but this census report indicates that the opposite is happening. “The situation in CDNTs is getting worse and worse each year and affirms that the government are failing disabled people in general and disabled children in particular. “This is placing an extremely heavy burden on the staff who are in post as they try to cope with the additional workload placed on them by the fact that over a third of their teams have not been filled.
“The high and increasing level of staff vacancies in CDNTs is undoubtedly the main factor that has led to extremely high waiting lists for assessments and follow-up services for children. “This government have completely failed people with disabilities and their families. Their promises are sounding increasingly hollow. “It is time for a new government, led by Sinn Féin, that will deliver for disabled people and their families.”
