In raising the issues with CDNT services across the south east, in Waterford in particular, I am really concerned about the situation in Dungarvan. The service there is down two whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists, and that is on top of a low base. I am very concerned about waiting lists. There are six children on a waiting list for CDNT services in Dungarvan for over 12 months. The situation is not much better in the Clonmel and Waterford CDNTs which cater to parts of County Waterford. This comes on top of the latest figures I have - though there may have been some movement since I got them - showing an 18% vacancy rate in CDNTs across the State. This means children are being left behind. I am thinking of a young boy in west Waterford who was really coming on with speech and language therapy but who has been left in the lurch. Since I mentioned locally that I would be raising the issue this week, I have been inundated with messages and emails, most of which have already been passed on to the relevant offices as representations. It just shows the issues that exist, despite the best efforts of the people working in the CDNTS, who are really diligent, dedicated and excellent. This is putting huge pressure on families and holding children back in their development and also their wellness.

Sentiment score: 0.07

I thank the Minister of State for the response. Like her, I want to pay tribute to those who are working in the services. They have, in many cases with one hand tied behind their backs, managed to clear backlogs arising out of the pandemic and they do their work to a really excellent standard. As we know, however, there are ongoing issues in terms of recruitment and retention, with retention being a key issue. That is not to say there is not capacity elsewhere, however, and for those children whose development and ability to live their lives fully is being held back, Government needs to look, in the interim at the very least, at private provision or provision in areas outside of where they live, so that at least they can access some modicum of service in the short term.

Sentiment score: 0.38