Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

The children's disability network team in Clonmel is in crisis. Over 60% of posts are vacant and by year end, that will rise to 72%. Eleven positions have been unfilled for years. Two therapists are going on maternity leave, whom I wish well, which will leave only three administrative staff, one social worker and one disability nurse. There will be no occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist or speech and language therapist. This is a service meant to support hundreds of children with complex needs. Right now, 114 children are waiting for assessment, 59 of them for more than 12 months, breaching legal limits, as Cara Darmody pointed out to the Taoiseach. A total of 475 children are on the case load, facing huge delays. Families are desperate and children are regressing. Parents fight daily for basic rights. This is just not acceptable. Funding is not a problem. Does the Taoiseach accept that this is a crisis? What emergency measures will he take to fill these vacancies? Will he acknowledge that this is a national scandal because people have contacted me from all over the country? It is the same in Kildare and all over. Cashel is the same way, with only 35% occupancy. This is not acceptable for young people. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. I know the Taoiseach wants to do that but this is just unacceptable. Some intervention has to be made to rectify this.

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