Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I welcome the motion put forward by People Before Profit-Solidarity on this very important issue. I have been raising the waiting lists, specifically in Clare, for the last number of months, and I have the numbers of the first contact and those waiting on the initial contact. There are still 36 children in care who are waiting for that initial contact. As we know, that is the very basics of support and services that can be put in place so it is very important that they continue to receive at least their initial contact.

I wish to mention that I was trying to find out how many SNAs are in schools, and from the response to the parliamentary question I received, it transpires that this number is not actually collected. It is available at a local level, for example, but they have indicated that there are 21,000 SNAs in schools. Anecdotally, I hear the likes of clinical psychologists and those who train SNAs also pointing to the fact that they are hearing that some schools are not actually hiring SNAs. There is still a gap there and possibly something that the Minister of State could look into.

In respect of CDNTs and the vacancies there, I know that at the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters before the recess, it was raised with the Minister of State. I had also mentioned it to her in respect of Clare. At the time, there was a lot of focus on whether permanent contracts were being offered and that was something the Minister of State said had been brought to her attention by others and that she was going to look into it, but there is the fact that we are still here and we have still a lot of vacancies in all of the CDNTs. I know one in Tipperary, for example, where it is the occupational therapist. I have raised that with them locally. There are also a number of vacancies in Clare. I know the Minister of State has pointed to a new recruitment strategy but I think there is a need to ensure the permanent contracts and those being offered can avail of the home security, mortgages and all of that. It really needs to be considered.

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