Mayo TD urges government to cut red tape for returning Irish psychologists
AONTÚ TD Paul Lawless has called on the Government to address the chronic staffing shortages in Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs).
The deputy is warning that children with disabilities are being left behind due to delays in accessing critical early intervention services.
Speaking in the Dáil this week Deputy Lawless pressed the Minister for Disability Hildegarde Naughton for clear answers on the number of current vacancies across CDNTs, the percentage of unfilled posts and the Government’s short term and long term plan to recruit healthcare professionals.
“Early intervention is absolutely critical,” stated Deputy Lawless. “Yet time and time again, we hear vague reassurances while children and families are left waiting.
Parents are at their wits end. Every delay in access to therapy puts their child at greater risk of long-term disadvantage- even the difference between living independently in the future or not.”
While the Minister referenced state plans including bursaries, recruitment fairs and third level training expansion, Deputy Lawless again highlighted the lack of urgency and failure to outline targeted strategies to address the immediate crisis.
“We have highly qualified Irish professionals working abroad, in Australia, Canada and the UAE but no serious Government plan to bring them home.
I asked directly what steps are being taken to entice these skilled graduates back and the Minister could not provide an answer.”
“Irish psychologists who may have trained and worked abroad find themselves caught in bureaucracy and red tape when they return to Ireland.
It is unacceptable that qualified professionals return home to work in a system that is desperately short staffed and face barriers in doing that.”
“We want to see fast track accreditation for returning Irish trained professionals and targeted financial incentives to make CDNT roles more attractive.
We need to take immediate action on this to ensure children with disabilities get the support they need and are entitled to.”