Mattie McGrath: Clonmel Children's Disability Service Crisis
Mattie McGrath warned that the Children's Disability Network team in Clonmel is in crisis, citing a vacancy rate above 60% set to reach 72% by year-end and many long-term unfilled posts. He outlined severe staffing shortfalls, long waiting lists and children regressing, and pressed for emergency measures and recognition that the problem is a national scandal.
The Children's Disability Network team in Clonmel currently has over 60% of posts vacant, a figure McGrath said could rise to 72% by year-end. He said 11 positions have been unfilled for years, two therapists are going on maternity leave and what remains are only three administrative staff, one social worker and one disability nurse, with no occupational therapists, psychotherapists, psychologists or speech and language therapists to support hundreds of children with complex needs.
McGrath reported 114 children waiting for assessment, with 59 waiting for over 12 months and approaching legal limits. He told the Dail that 475 children are on the caseload and facing significant delays for assessment and treatment.
He said families are desperate, children are regressing, and parents are forced to fight daily for basic rights. McGrath described the situation as unacceptable and questioned claims that funding is the primary issue.
McGrath asked whether the government accepts this is a crisis, what emergency measures will be taken to fill vacancies and whether it will acknowledge a national scandal. In reply the minister said national CDNT waiting lists have fallen by 18% and staffing across the 93 CDNTs grew by 26% - around 415 people between October 2023 and April 2025. The minister added the overall vacancy rate has fallen from 29% to 18% but acknowledged the Tipper area issue is very serious and said they will engage with the HSE to investigate further.
Staffing shortfall in Clonmel
The Children's Disability Network team in Clonmel currently has over 60% of posts vacant, a figure McGrath said could rise to 72% by year-end. He said 11 positions have been unfilled for years, two therapists are going on maternity leave and what remains are only three administrative staff, one social worker and one disability nurse, with no occupational therapists, psychotherapists, psychologists or speech and language therapists to support hundreds of children with complex needs.
Waiting lists and caseload
McGrath reported 114 children waiting for assessment, with 59 waiting for over 12 months and approaching legal limits. He told the Dail that 475 children are on the caseload and facing significant delays for assessment and treatment.
Impact on families and children
He said families are desperate, children are regressing, and parents are forced to fight daily for basic rights. McGrath described the situation as unacceptable and questioned claims that funding is the primary issue.
Questions to the minister and government response
McGrath asked whether the government accepts this is a crisis, what emergency measures will be taken to fill vacancies and whether it will acknowledge a national scandal. In reply the minister said national CDNT waiting lists have fallen by 18% and staffing across the 93 CDNTs grew by 26% - around 415 people between October 2023 and April 2025. The minister added the overall vacancy rate has fallen from 29% to 18% but acknowledged the Tipper area issue is very serious and said they will engage with the HSE to investigate further.
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Transcript
The Children's Disability Network team in Clonmel is in crisis. Over 60% of posts are vacant and by year-end that will rise to 72%. 11 positions have been unfilled for years. Two therapists are going on maternity leave and I wish them well, leaving only three administrative staff, one social worker and one disability nurse. There will be no occupational therapists, no psychotherapists and no psychologists and no speech and language therapists. This is meant to support hundreds of children with complex needs. Right now 114 children are waiting for assessment, 59 for over 12 months, reaching legal limits, as Carol D'Armley finds out to you. 475 children are on the caseload and facing huge delays. Families are desperate. Children are regressing. Parents fight daily for basic rights. This is just not acceptable. Funding is not a problem. Do you accept that this is a crisis? What emergency measures will you take to fill these vacancies? And will you acknowledge that this is a national scandal? Because people have contact with one over the country. It's the same with Kildare, it's the same on over. Cash is the same way, only 35% accuracy. This is not acceptable for the young people. More than I know again, I was chucking cheese. I know you want to do that as well, but this is just unacceptable. Some individuals have the email here to write about this. Thank you, David. Do you have to respond? National CDNT waiting lists have fallen 18%. But more importantly, I think the workforce growth is a priority. Despite recruitment challenges, staffing across the 93 CDNTs grew by 26%. That's next to 415 people between October 23 and April 25. The vacancy rate has come down at 18%. That's down from 29%. But what you've outlined there is a very serious issue in Tipper area. I think you said it will be 72% by the end of the year. So if something's wrong there, I don't know what I'm not. So we will engage with the HSE to try and get to the bottom of that. Deputy Gary Gray.