Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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969. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the campaigns her Department has undertaken to recruit qualified professionals from abroad to work within the disability services such as the children’s disability network teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23802/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Increasing the Disability Sector Workforce is a key priority of Government and has been reflected in the Programme for Government. Whilst acknowledging the challenges, it is important to recognise that the disabilities workforce is growing year on year. For example, the Children’s Disability Network Teams Report for 2024 shows that the CDNT workforce increased by 17% when compared with the 2023 figure.

To achieve the staffing level improvements seen in 2024 and to fill current vacancies, there are extensive domestic and international recruitment efforts across the HSE and section 38 and 39 organisations to recruit and onboard staff.

It is important to note that the HSE is operating in a very competitive global market for healthcare talent. There are significant shortages of qualified healthcare professionals across the globe. Seven of the disciplines working in CDNTs have been included on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s Critical Skills Occupations List.

The HSE continues to work with overseas agencies to expand international recruitment. Within this, there is a particular focus on Irish trained overseas applicants with a relocation package available to meet vouched expenses for those who have left Ireland. A commitment must be given by the candidate to remain in the employment of the HSE for a minimum period of two years.

Last month the HSE launched a comprehensive suite of supports to assist international candidates to navigate through the candidate journey from the initial steps of ‘Why Ireland’ through the application, selection, and onboarding process to settling in Ireland and building their future career. These supports are available on the HSE’s CareerHub portal.

On 15th May 2025 the HSE is launching its first Virtual Career Fair, specifically focused on opportunities within Ireland’s disability services, including CDNTs. This event is open to international candidates and includes information on career pathways and relocation supports. Employers are also supported in advertising internationally through the HSE’s CareerHub platform.

It should be noted that it takes longer to recruit and appoint international candidates compared to candidates who have gained their professional qualification from a recognised course in the Republic of Ireland. For this reason, international recruitment can be seen as one strand in the portfolio of workforce initiatives being undertaken by the HSE to support sustained growth of CDNTs and the wider Disability Service.