Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and I acknowledge her efforts in the area of disability. I also acknowledge the work the staff are doing. No staff working in this service want to see waiting lists. When parents who are waiting for an assessment and services for their child ring me, their frustration is so palpable. They very much feel they are letting down their child and not giving them the best opportunity to fulfil his or her potential. That is regrettable.

The figure in the Minister of State's reply that nationally 28% of posts are not filled is very worrying and serious. We have a critical problem here.

The Minister of State referred to the fact that recruiting staff is one thing but retention is another. If the remuneration package is not at a level that is needed to ensure retention of staff in the future, it must be looked at as a matter of priority. We cannot let these young children and parents down. Whatever extra resources the service needs to ensure we recruit and retain staff in these positions have to be provided.

In my county, we have a problem in the north of it. The south of the county is far better served. That brings its own frustration as people see, as I said in my original contribution, that it is their postcode which is resulting in a lack of services. That is very frustrating for parents. I acknowledge the efforts being made but I urge the Minister of State to use her persuasive powers, which are very strong, with the HSE to ensure the remuneration packages in place allow for the retention of staff when we fill posts and that we try to fill those posts as a matter of urgency.

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