Ms Derval McDonagh:

What we are hearing from people working on the ground is that several issues are going on. Any change process is challenging. Reconfiguring multiple teams in a short time was always going to throw up challenges. This definitely has an effect on staff and morale and we cannot deny that. Therapists working on a team like that face long waiting lists and having to constantly say to families, "We see what your needs are, we see your child's needs and here is your service statement for 2026." What this does morally to people working in that system cannot be underestimated. People do, therefore, tend to burn out and leave. Other issues have also arisen that are not necessarily what Inclusion Ireland is advocating around. What we are hearing is at issue is the pay disparity between section 38 and section 39 organisations. People could be working on the same team and doing the same work but somebody else is being paid a different salary. Regarding retention of staff, this is obviously an issue that must be grappled with.

A review of the situation is needed and this is why we have consistently called for it. When we talk about workforce planning, sometimes I think people think we are talking just about recruitment drives. That is just one element of a comprehensive workforce planning strategy. It must look at the retention of the staff that are there, the conditions they are working in and how we can make those better for them. Organisations such as ours must take responsibility for this as well in respect of painting the picture positively of working with disabled children. There is nothing like it when people get to work on a team that is well-functioning, working in a multidisciplinary way and supporting children and their families on a journey. It is phenomenal work when it is done properly and right and when it is resourced. We must tell that story as well about it being a good place to work and an attractive job to do. We must tell more positive stories about what results can look like when it does work well. There must be a total focus on the workforce planning aspect. If this does not happen, unfortunately, people will continue to leave and not feel supported.