Meath East TD says children's disability services 'chronically understaffed'
Speaking in the Dáil last week, and coinciding with the 50 hour sleepout protest of 14-year-old campaigner Cara Darmody, Teachta Darren O'Rourke highlighted that there are staffing shortages within the region's four Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs).
He said: 'In Meath, in CDNT 2 covering the Kells area, and CDNT 5 covering the Navan and Slane area, one in four therapist posts is vacant. Figures released to me by the HSE, confirm that to be the case. In CDNT 4, covering the Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin area, it is worse, one in three posts is vacant. In CDNT 6, covering the Trim area, it is worse again - almost two in three posts are vacant, or 62pc.'
A children's disability network team provides specialised support and services for children who have a disability and complex health needs associated with their disability. The CDNT supports a child's development, wellbeing and participation in family and community life.
'There is a complete lack of capacity in the system, and it isn't a new development. It is a chronic situation, and it means children with disabilities cannot access the essential assessments and therapies that they need.'
"It is simply not good enough. There needs to be an urgency from the government to fill these posts - not just in Meath but right across the state.'
Mr O'Rourke added that the staffing gaps also hit primary care services. He revealed that since April 2022, 1.5 whole-time equivalent paediatric occupational therapist posts based in Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin are vacant, meaning there is no occupational therapist in that primary care service.
'It is a natural instinct for a parent to want to get every help necessary for their child to reach their full potential but the services simply aren't there,' the Sinn Féin TD said.
"On Assessments of Needs (AONs), the government must stop breaking the law. Instead of proposing to change the law itself, they should invest in children's disability services, ensure we train and employ sufficient therapists to meet the obligations provided for in the DIsability Act. Children need assessments and they need therapies. Government are failing on both counts."
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