Almost 900 children in Cork left waiting for disability supports and services

ALMOST 900 children in Cork are awaiting initial contact from a Children’s Disability Network Team in the region, The Echo can reveal.

A children’s disability network team (CDNT) aims to provide specialised support and services for children who have a disability and complex health needs associated with their disability.

CDNTs were established across Ireland in recent years under the Progressing Disability Services plan.

This aims to increase access to disability services across the country, with 11 teams set up in Cork.

However, information obtained from Cork Kerry Community Healthcare revealed waiting lists for initial CDNT contact, and a spokesperson for regional health services highlighted staff vacancy issues and the impact of the ongoing HSE recruitment freeze.

The data obtained shows that 869 children in Cork were waiting for initial contact from a CDNT at the end of September this year.

Several CDNTs in Cork recorded more than 150 children on their initial contact waiting list at the end of September.

Meanwhile, there are currently 5,832 children accessing supports from the 11 CDNTs in Cork.

A spokesperson for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said:

“Cork Kerry Community Healthcare deeply regrets any delays for children and their families awaiting initial contact with the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT).

“We understand the difficulty and stress this can cause for children and their families, and we are working to address these delays.” 

Addressing staff vacancy in the Cork/Kerry region, the spokesperson stated:

“There is an average vacancy rate of 20.79% across all 14 CDNTs in Cork and Kerry, with some CDNTs experiencing higher vacancy rates than others.

“CDNT services in Cork are provided by Section 38 and Section 39 agencies.

“Section 38 agencies; Brothers of Charity Services and COPE Foundation are currently impacted by the HSE recruitment pause.

“The Section 39 agencies; CoAction, Enable Ireland and St Joseph’s Foundation continue to run local recruitment campaigns on an ongoing basis,” the spokesperson added.

“Cork Community Healthcare personnel continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that vacant Section 39 posts can be filled as quickly as possible.”