I agree with my colleague on the provision of childcare places and crèches, specifically the right type of building. I have areas in my constituency where massive private housing estates are being built and the childcare centres are not and have not been built at all. I have queried them with Cork City Council regarding one estate in Glanmire where 500 houses are being built with no parks, no playground, no community centre and no childcare centre going in there. To me, we need these guidelines delivered. We saw during the Celtic tiger what happened when there was just building. We need to build communities, not just buildings. We need childcare facilities and we need the parks and playgrounds to go with them. The other thing is we have people driving all over cities, towns and counties to try to find childcare places for their children, when they should be parked at the local development. That is why these planning guidelines need to be delivered as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: -0.05

90. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of staff recruited in CDNTs in Cork in the past 12 months; and the number who resigned or left. [61723/25]

Sentiment score: -0.03

I ask the Minister of State to update the House on the number of staff that have been recruited in CDNTs in Cork in the past 12 months and the number who have either left or resigned. At the moment, we are facing a crisis in the CDNT units in Cork.

Sentiment score: -0.36

I am sorry but what was the first figure?

Sentiment score: -0.04

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The only thing about that figure - she said there was 87% staffing and only 13% vacancy - is that if you take off the 32 staff members who are out sick, on maternity leave or off work for whatever reason, it means the figure is down to a 75% staffing level, which means there is a 25% vacancy rate. If a person goes on maternity leave, is out sick or is out of work for whatever reason, that post still needs to be covered. If it is not, then the children who need the therapies that staff member gives are not getting them. It is very important we do not manipulate the figures here. I am not suggesting the Minister of State is doing that by any means but the Department is supplying her with figures. The figure she gave was 308 and with 234 - someone will have to check my maths - that is a 75% occupancy rate of staff. I am saying if people are on maternity leave or whatever kind of leave, there must be replacement staff for them and the other staff need to be recruited as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: -0.11

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I have just double-checked my figures there and 308 full-time with 234 in place is 76%. That means there are 74 therapist staff members who are vital to delivering really urgent therapies to children. If the Minister of State Googles CDNTs and what they do, she will read they are about child development and permitting kids to reach their maximum potential. How can children reach their maximum potential if they are not getting the therapists, therapies and the support they need? How heartbreaking must it be for parents to look at their child not getting the support, therapies or the vital help they need from the State? If these children do not get the support when they need it, they will never catch up. It will have a lifelong effect on their ability to develop, be the best they can be and live to their potential. There needs to be an urgent recruitment policy with additional funding because we need to get 100% staffing levels, and anyone who is out must be covered.

Sentiment score: 0.17