Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth | Reimplementation of services provided by the Kildare network disability team

Question

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the timeline for full reimplementation of services provided by the Kildare network disability team, with particular reference to the urgent provision of occupational therapy, speech therapy, clinical psychology and social worker services; the positions in this team currently vacant and yet to be filled; the timeline for filling such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply

I refer to the above Parliamentary Question which has been referred by the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth to the Health Service Executive for direct response.
I have requested the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNT) for Kildare & West Wicklow to examine the matter and the following outlines the position.
CDNT – North Kildare:
The CDNTs in Kildare were established in 2014 and are implementing services based on the resource available. Staff movement and recruitment is ongoing with staff moving to internal promotional opportunities and moving to other geographical locations. Outlined in the table below is the current status regarding vacant posts and recruitment. Recruitment in CHO DSKWW for vacant posts has occurred nationally through recent National CDNT campaign and Internationally with the support of two recruitment agencies.

CDNT – South Kildare & West Wicklow:
The South Kildare West Wicklow Children’s Disability Network (SKWW CDNT) has experienced significant recruitment challenges over the last few years, which has been reflected nationally as the national model of Progressing Disability services for Children has been rolled out.
KARE, as lead Agency for the South Kildare Childrens Disability Network team, has actively recruited to all vacancies as they arose, and were also utilising all possible opportunities including a multiagency, approach for international recruitment, to maintain services to children and families within the constraints experienced. We acknowledge that this has been difficult for all, both families and staff. Particular challenges that we experienced and continue to experience have been in the clinical disciplines of psychology, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Regular updates in relation to changes in recruitment, both challenges and successes, are provided through the family forums which are held quarterly. Update to timelines regarding waitlists for clinical supports is available through direct contact with the Children’s disability team manager.
The impact of these extended vacancies on our waitlist has been significant, and currently the waitlist time is approximately 24 months. The SKWW CDNT has continued to provide core services, has achieved their key target of Assessment of Need completed, and continuously review their waitlists regularly to expedite intake to services despite the vacancies experienced.
In response to your query, we are currently continuing to recruit both OT and SLT posts at present to fill vacancies. Overall, our recent recruitment is providing some successes. We have no psychology or social work vacancies. 2 additional therapy posts were filled in April, with 3 further therapy posts ( 2 SLT, 1 OT) offered or pending start dates later in 2024 through international recruitment. We have 1 nurse vacancy.