Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for articulating the details relating to this very difficult issue. As stated, progressing children's disability services is the policy underpinning children's disability services. All 91 CDNT teams are now established and while I know they are challenged with recruitment and retention issues, they are in place and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is continuing to engage with the HSE to fill the vacant posts and to progress the service provision.

This has never been a question of a lack of financial commitment. The Government has provided significant funding to the HSE for new posts in recent years. Since 2019, almost 500 additional whole-time equivalent posts for children's disability services have been allocated. However, for various reasons, filling these posts has proven to be incredibly challenging. I know the various CHOs have prioritised filling these posts as a matter of great urgency. In addition, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has begun discussions with the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, around improving the disability workforce supply in the longer term.

I will bring the Deputy’s comments back to the Minister of State and inform her that this young man is coming to Leinster House next Wednesday. The Deputy talked about a new wheelchair. I will raise this in the Department as quickly as possible in the morning to see if anything can be done. On behalf of Deputy Rabbitte, I would like to restate her commitment, as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, to strive for the best services possible for children with disabilities and for their families. On this occasion, the best service has not been provided. I will bring that issue and the Deputy's concerns back to the Minister of State.

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