Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

We received a response this week to a parliamentary question on the issue, in which the HSE cites staff vacancy as one of the major issues. That aligns with what the Minister of State says about being able to work with as many children and young people as possible in the State.

Are we confident that we are maximising workforce opportunities from the point of view of third level education and in terms of those who are living abroad? From a Kildare perspective, some CDNTs have a 40% vacancy rate and 2,600 children are on waiting lists, 1,900 of whom are waiting more than 12 months for an intervention. That is notwithstanding the phenomenal work that happens once people can engage with the service. That is the story in so many regards. Is there anything more we can do to ensure those delays are minimised to really hone in on early intervention where possible?

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