Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to address the continued shortage of therapists across children’s disability network teams, particularly in North Dublin where many families have now waited years without access to occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, or psychology supports for their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61557/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Government and I recognise the importance of early intervention for children with disabilities and the Programme for Government commits to ensuring children and their families who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way.

This commitment has resulted in additional funding being made available to expand children’s services in Budget 2026, with €6.8 billion to be provided next year, an increase of 19%.

A significant focus of the Government is increasing the staffing within the 93 Children’s Disability Network Teams.

Funding was made available in 2025 for children’s services to build on existing recruitment initiatives, focusing on various positions across Children’s Disability Network Teams.

A further €8 million has been secured in Budget 2026 to allow for the funding of 150 additional posts to Children’s Disability Network Teams. These teams currently support almost 45,000 children with complex needs.

The key vehicle for change and improvement has been the Roadmap for Service Improvement for Disability Services for Children and Young People.

The Roadmap contains an important set of actions that, collectively, will enhance children’s disability services in Ireland.

These include significant measures to integrate and improve access to services, expand the workforce and advance better communication and engagement with families.

Children living in North Dublin access Children’s Disability Network Teams in the Dublin and North East Health Region.

I am advised by the HSE that as per the latest data in April this year, the Dublin and North East Health Region, of which the North Dublin teams are part of, has a vacancy rate of 22%, with 428.9 Whole Time Equivalent Posts filled.

At the end of August 2025, there were 2,659 children on the HSE Dublin and North East Children’s Disability Network Team waiting list, while 9,268 children were on the open caseload.

I appreciate that too many children are waiting for services nationally, but there has been an increase of 26% in Children’s Disability Network Teams staffing levels since October 2023 across the country.

Most significantly the Children’s Disability Network Teams national vacancy rate has reduced from 29% in 2023 to 18% in 2025 - a reduction of 11 percentage points.

Recruitment and retention of Health and Social Care Professionals is the most significant challenge, and work is ongoing to increase staffing levels.

Student placements on Children’s Disability Network Teams will continue to be expanded, alongside a continued growth in the number of places in higher education, to develop the pipeline of future therapists.

There are also initiatives including engaging with the employment market and students to improve the perception and increase interest in working in Children’s Disability Network Teams.

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 support and services they require.