Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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358. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement that he had in Budget 2023 for the provision of staff for children's disability network teams. [49209/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health has engaged intensively with the HSE in relation to enhancing the provision of services for children with disabilities and their families.

A key part of that engagement is to ensure appropriate recruitment and retention on CDNTs (Children's Disability Network Teams). In this regard, 185 posts were allocated to Children’s Disability Services for 2021. These posts, along with the 190 posts allocated in 2022 are intended to support the newly established CDNTs to prioritise intervention for children with complex needs including those in special schools. The HSE continue to work on filling these posts, having regard to the challenging employment market that currently exists in the health and social care sector.

Funding for 2023 will underpin ongoing efforts by the HSE to enhance capacity across the CDNT networks. It is anticipated that this increased capacity will contribute to reduced waiting times and increase accessibility to services for children, young people and their families. Engagement will commence shortly with the HSE on the National Service Plan 2023.