I am inundated with families contacting me who are having a real difficulty accessing the supports, services and therapies that their children need from CDNTs. The HSE data from last month showed a number of vacancies across the CDNT network in Galway. At that time, just one CDNT out of 15 in the broader west and north-west region was fully staffed. The result of that is that children are facing extreme waits to access the services they need. It is causing untold stress to families as well. One particular family in County Galway, who I know has been writing to the Minister of the State, is completely at their wit's end. Despite repeated requests, they cannot get individual speech and language therapy for their son who is non-verbal and autistic. It is heartbreaking for them as parents to see their child not getting the supports that they need and they are not the only ones. Will the Minister of State explain this to that family? Will she also outline what she is going to do to ensure that our CDNTs are fully staffed and fully functional going forward?

Sentiment score: -0.03