HSE figures show 10% of CDNT staff in Cork out on leave

More than 10% of staff from HSE disability teams for children in Cork are currently out on various types of leave, while a further 13.5% of funded posts are vacant, new figures have shown.

This situation comes as staffing gaps have increased, despite ongoing recruitment efforts.

For children with complex needs, access to services are delivered through the Children’s Disability Networks (CDNTs) across the country, including a total of 11 in Cork.

Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould asked the Government to detail the number of staff that have been recruited in CDNTs in Cork in the past 12 months and the number who have either left or resigned.

“At the moment, we are facing a crisis in the CDNT units in Cork,” said Mr Gould.

The minister of state with responsibility for disability, Hildegarde Naughton, said that, despite increasing pressures on waiting lists across the country, the number of children on waiting lists nationally has actually fallen from nearly 13,000 in January to 10,579 at the end of August, a reduction of 18%.

“The HSE has advised the department that of the 14 CDNTs in HSE South West, a total of 11 provide services in Cork city and county,” she told Mr Gould.

“The approved number of whole-time equivalent posts for the Cork area at the end of September 2025 was 308.77. Of these posts, 234.73 were filled, with a further 32.42 post holders on various types of leave. The Cork area CDNTs are, therefore, staffed to 87% with a 13% vacancy rate.

“We acknowledge the current delays in accessing interventions.

“Work is ongoing by the HSE to maximise the capacity of the CDNTs via recruitment campaigns and other measures,” said Ms Naughton.

Querying this figure, Mr Gould said that if you take off the 32 staff members who are out sick, on maternity leave, or off work for whatever reason, it means the figure is down to a 76% staffing level, and a 24% vacancy rate.

“If a person goes on maternity leave, is out sick, or is out of work for whatever reason, that post still needs to be covered. If it is not, then the children who need the therapies that staff member gives are not getting them. It is very important we do not manipulate the figures here,” he said.

Ms Naughton said she was “not disputing the fact we absolutely need to increase recruitment”.

“There is a huge amount of work happening,” she said.

“In budget 2026, €8m has been secured to allow for the funding of 150 staff for our CDNTs, and the configuration of these posts is under review by the HSE.”

The most recent figures mark an increase in vacancy from April data previously reported by The Echo, which showed that there were 303.9 whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts funded in Cork CDNTs, with 274 filled, a vacancy rate of just under 10%.

Despite an additional five posts being assigned since then, the amount of staff has decreased.