Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú. I recognise the other elements he had in place. In the context of the national human rights strategy for disabled people, there is a recognition that a number of Departments have different roles. This is and must be regarded as a whole-of-government approach. In the consultation process, one of the most telling exchanges that came from a disabled person referenced the fact that no one’s life is divided conveniently into Government Departments. I thought that was a great learning process for anyone to appreciate that. There is an apportioning of responsibility, however. I appreciate that the other Departments are going to take up some of the issues the Deputy has raised.

As the Deputy will be aware and appreciate, engagement around the strategy was launched on 3 September. This is a landmark strategy that will advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and provide a framework for whole-of-government action on disability issues. It contains a significant commitment to the delivery of a quality, accessible, equitable and timely service for all disabled children and their families, based on their need.

The key vehicle for change and improvement is the roadmap for service improvement for disability services for children and young people. The implementation of this roadmap is well under way and will continue until 2026. The roadmap contains an important set of actions that, collectively, will enhance children’s disability services in Ireland. They include significant measures to integrate and improve access to services, expand the workforce and advance better communication and engagement with families.

HSE data from April show there has been a nationwide increase of 26% in children disability network team staffing levels since October 2023. Most significantly, the national vacancy rate of CDNTs has reduced from 29% in 2023 to 18% in 2025, a reduction of 11 percentage points. It is still too high, however. We need to say that. I am very pleased to see this progress, but I know we absolutely need to do more. That is why we will continue to focus on increasing CDNT staffing numbers, reducing the vacancy rate even further and ensuring that more children with complex needs and their families receive the support they need.

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