Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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1461. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on the waiting list for a CDNT appointment in Dublin south central; how long they have been waiting; and for a projection of when they will be seen; in tabular form. [59689/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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1462. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to reduce the waiting time for appointments to see the CDNT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59690/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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1463. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to alleviate the financial burden on parents who have to go private due to the long waiting lists for CDNTs, therapies and other disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59691/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1462 and 1463 together.

This Government and I recognise the importance of early intervention for children with disabilities and ensuring they receive the right services at the right time.

Under the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to ensuring children and their families who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way.

I acknowledge that families are facing unacceptable delays in accessing therapies for their children and that multiple actions are required to improve access to therapies.

Government is committed to growing the public provision of these services. This is reflected in the recent budget where funding of €8m has been provided for the recruitment of a further 150 staff for Children’s Disability Network Teams.

We must also work to ensure the system works efficiently and effectively. Over the past two years, the Roadmap for Service Improvement for Disability Services for Children and Young People has been the key vehicle for enhancing children’s disability services. Through this Roadmap, a series of actions have been progressed to improve access to CDNTs who are providing supports and services to almost 45,000 children with complex needs. Waiting lists for CDNT services have reduced by 18% in the first 8 months of this year, from 12,920 to 10,579 children. This is a welcome improvement and one that must continue.

Recruitment and retention of Health and Social Care Professionals in CDNTs is a key Roadmap priority. Substantial effort and investment has been made in this regard. Funding was made available this year for the recruitment of 75 positions across the CDNTs, and Budget 2026 includes provision for the funding of 150 posts next year.

My Department is working with the HSE to introduce specific recruitment and retention incentives for therapists to work in CDNTs. These include a CDNT sponsorship programme with bursaries for fourth year and postgrad students linked to acceptance of (conditional) job offers, increased placements on CDNTs, and facilitation of direct access for funded agencies to existing professional panels which will shorten the recruitment process.

We also need to develop a pipeline of future therapists through the third level education system to meet the continuing need for health and social care professionals.

In June, the Government approved an expansion in training places from September 2025 in disciplines critical to disability, health and education services. Additionally alternative pathways into health and social care professions are being developed to widen access to critical skills areas. These include apprenticeships, tertiary programmes, graduate conversion and mature entry.

I can assure you that this Government will continually engage with the HSE, service providers and families to ensure that children with disabilities receive the therapies they need in a timely manner.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1464. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline, under S.I. No. 704/2021, the number of 16A applications have been made and granted since 2021; the national guidance in relation to this section; if oversight or risk management exits in relation to these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57704/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.