85. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant-unfilled positions across each CDNT in the State; if she will provide the figures from the CDNT workforce report, carried out in October 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21200/25]

Sentiment score: 0.03

I am looking for the figures on unfilled positions within each CDNT in the State. Obviously, we had the workforce report from last October and that has since been published. The big question concerns the numbers that were outstanding. At one time, it was almost 530 positions. Even if those positions are filled, are we able to provide the service that is required through the CDNT system?

Sentiment score: 0.12

We all welcome increased recruitment but the fact is that whatever the figures say, we have all been inundated with requests from parents who cannot get assessments or therapies for their children. We all know the issue. We have all had an over-and-back in regard to the fact school-based therapies could deal with some of this issue. However, if we look at the recruitment levels on the basis of how this happened last year, it would take at least two years at the same speed to fill the gaps and achieve a complete workforce. Again, that is only on the basis of the numbers that are set out at present. Given there will constantly be a need for these reports, we need to see real movement in this regard. Can the Minister give any sort of timeline for when those positions will be filled? Beyond that, if those positions are filled, will we be able to provide the correct service in regard to assessments of need and therapies for those children with autism and their parents?

Sentiment score: 0.05

We all know the issues with regard to recruitment and retention but we also know the absolute need that is out there and the abject failure there has been for many years, which continues at this point in time. Everyone would say it is beyond doubt that we need to engage in domestic and international initiatives, and we should be looking at every sort of pipeline to ensure we can get as many highly trained OTs, SLTs, psychologists and other specialists as possible. This would ensure we could deliver everything from assessments, even if at times it meant we had to look at the method by which we carried out assessments, right through the system to provide fit-for-purpose therapies. However, there is a particular issue as to how we deliver this. I will ask the question again: if we fill all of these positions, will we be able to offer the service that we need to offer on the basis of the need? We need to get real about school-based therapies. Has there been much engagement with the Minister for Education on delivering something across the board that is fit for purpose?

Sentiment score: 0.11