Over 2,400 children in Dublin waiting over a year for first contact from disability team

Michael Bolton

Figures have shown there are over 2,400 children waiting over a year for first contact from a Children Disability Network Team (CDNT) in parts of Dublin.

The CDNT are multidisciplinary teams that provide services and supports to children and young people up to 18 years of age who have complex needs arising from a disability.

CDNTs comprise health and social care professionals, including nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, social work and others.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from the HSE show by the end of August, there are 2,442 children waiting over 12 months in Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 9, which covers Dublin North, Dublin North Central and Dublin North West, for first contact.

In the same area, there are 226 children waiting between seven and 12 months for first contact, while there are 61 children wanting between four and six months.

In CHO7, which covers Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West, there are 1,901 children waiting over a year for first contact from a CDNT.

There are also 337 children waiting between seven and 12 months for first contact in this area.

In CHO5, covering South Tipperary, Carlow/Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, there are 1,215 children waiting over 12 months for contact from a CDNT.

CHO6, which includes Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin South East there are 1,195 children waiting over 12 months for initial contact.

In CHO8, which covers Midland counties Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Louth, Longford and Meath, there are 1,010 children waiting over a year for first contact.

In the document from the HSE, they said significant staffing vacancies, growth in numbers of children with complex needs as a result of their disability, and a growing demand for Assessment of Need, diverting further resources away from interventions, are all challenges CDNT's face.

As of August, CDNT provides services and support for over 42,000 children.

In line with the Progressing Disability Services model, 93 CDNTs are aligned to 96 CommunityHealthcare Networks (CHNs) across the country and are providing services and supports for children aged from birth to 18 years of age. Each CDNT covers a specific geographical area and holds a waiting list for children with complex needs residing in that area.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have been contacted for comment.