Disability Services
Seanad Éireann — 2023-06-20
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Sean Fleming (FF), Laois-Offaly

I thank Senator McGreehan for continuing to raise this issue. I have heard her speak about it several times and not just here in the Seanad today. Ensuring vulnerable children receive assessments and therapy services is of urgent importance. As I mentioned, the issue relates directly to vacancies across the network. The issue is being actively progressed by the HSE to maximise funding allocated by the Government in recent years for over 600 additional posts nationwide.
Improvements to waiting lists are dependent on suitable staffing levels. A range of measures designed to encourage staff recruitment and retention are being employed by the HSE to improve capacity. In addition, measures such as the development of new clinical guidance to replace preliminary team assessment and dedicated assessment teams are expected to provide enhanced capacity within the system ensuring access for families is improved. The measures being developed at national level and at local level in north and south Louth are expected to benefit families in the delivery of assessment of needs and therapeutic intervention. I agree with and reiterate the use of the private sector in the meantime until we get internal recruitment up to the level required. That should be prioritised immediately.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2023-06-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-06-20