James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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722. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she can outline the plans being developed by the disability unit within her Department to increase the recruitment of speech and language therapists from abroad. [20997/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Increasing the workforce in the Disability Sector is a key priority of Government as 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 Workforce Report for 2024 shows that the CDNT workforce increased by 17% when compared with the 2023 figure. That report was based on a survey conducted in mid-October 2024 by the HSE. Another survey carried out in April 2025 points to further improvement, with an increase in CDNT staffing levels of the order of 8% recorded in the previous six-month period. The HSE are currently validating the detailed survey data and expect the full report to be available in the coming months.

To continue the staffing level improvements seen in 2024 and to date in 2025 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, including speech and language therapists. 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 of Health and Social Care Professionals, including speech and language therapists. 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.

The HSE and CORU have streamlined the process for registration of overseas candidates, resulting in a significant reduction in registration time. This facilitates the direct recruitment of registered professionals from the international market, particularly the UK.

The HSE has 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 launched its first Virtual Career Fair, specifically focused on opportunities within Ireland’s disability services, including CDNTs. This event was open to international candidates and included 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 is more difficult and 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.