Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this important issue, and I know it is one that we will all be familiar with in our constituencies, where parents come to us and tell us about the challenges they have in securing necessary assessments and treatment for their children. We are committed to finding and implementing real and tangible solutions to enhance services to meet properly the needs of children with additional special needs.

As we all know, children with complex special needs access therapy services through the children's disability network teams, CDNTs. There are enormous challenges in meeting demand for these services and I know this affects children and their families very adversely. Waiting lists for services are being driven mainly by a shortage of suitably qualified therapy professionals to staff the CDNTs, the management referrals, and the slow uptake of new technologies. Funding for over 600 full-time additional posts has been provided by this Government to enhance the capacity of CDNTs and to shorten waiting times. These additional posts are evidence of the Government's commitment to prioritising interventions for children with complex needs, as well as those in special schools. A targeted recruitment campaign has been developed. It will be launched next week for the remainder of the vacant senior therapy grades within the CDNTs across the country.

The HSE is seized of the importance of early engagement with the health and social care profession graduates coming out this year. All of the class of 2023 have been offered the opportunity to apply for employment through national campaigns. Interviews have taken place and recruitment panels prepared. Permanent job offers will be issued prior to their professional registration. By the end of next year, the HSE has targeted the recruitment of 550 professionals for children's disability services. We expect them to be made up of 260 graduates, 111 international recruits and 182 from a sponsorship programme.

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