Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The database the HSE was using, which was mentioned a few times by the assessment officers, is, by its own admission, outdated and not fit for purpose. That needs to be addressed urgently. The Minister mentioned that the reports up to 2014 were published but that those since then have not been. We are calling to have the outstanding reports in the autumn session, in September. We will return to this if they are not provided.

We have talked about engaging in proactive and joined-up workforce planning to develop a strategy to address the staff shortages in all the services.

Something should be done to try to entice those health and social care professionals who left services because of their discomfort with the preliminary team assessment. Many of them have stated that is why they left the services. Now that a High Court ruling has stated that preliminary team assessments will not be continued, we should consider whether people can be enticed back to services.

I have heard of problems with CORU and the time it is taking for it to accredit the qualifications of people coming from the North to work in the State. The process is taking up to ten months. That is something that could be addressed quite quickly.

We need to talk to people not just in third-level colleges but in secondary school about working in the sector and do something to entice them into the sector. Perhaps there could be a reduction or waiver of fees. A job guarantee with a contract that ensures that those who qualify need areas do not export their skills and knowledge is vital. We are also looking for a report before the summer that outlines in full the number of whole-time equivalents that will receive jobs in 2022 and the other supports and resources being given to the children's disability network teams to address the backlog of assessments, carry out proper assessments and provide the therapies children require.

Every effort needs to made to ensure that the networks are up and running at full capacity without delay. The Minister mentioned family forums, which are important. The Minister of State, Deputy Burke, made a reference to parents having to do training to support therapies. Parents are not objecting to doing training in any way whatsoever. However, they are objecting to doing it alone. Children are not receiving therapies. Some parents have told me that even though they have done the training, they are being asked to do it again, and are being told if they do not do it their children will be removed from waiting lists. That is absolutely outrageous and should not happen.

The ongoing disparity between staff in section 39 organisations and those working directly for the HSE has to be addressed. Those agencies are haemorrhaging staff to the HSE and cannot retain staff in any form. Staff need the same pay and working conditions across the sector.

I also want to use this opportunity to call on the Government to ratify the optional protocol to the UNCRPD, something that is still outstanding. Refugees are coming to Ireland from other countries. We are expecting a large number from Ukraine, many of whom may be qualified in these professions. We to examine whether we can engage those people and allow them to work here. They will have PPS numbers and be allowed to work. Let us get them into our teams to fill the need that is there.

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