Two of the 93 children’s disability network teams (CDNTs) nationally had a full staff complement at the end of last year, according to data released under Freedom of Information law.
A CDNT national workforce report for October 2025 showed 457.4 whole-time equivalent funded posts were unfilled nationally.
The national staff vacancy rate in these teams – which provide support to around 45,000 young children and teenagers – was 18 per cent.
The teams provide supports to children with complex needs arising from a disability.
CDNTs are designed to comprise of nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, dietitians, and others.
A breakdown of staff vacancy rates per CDNT shows the Clonmel CDNT, run by the HSE, had the highest staff vacancy rate of any team in the country, at 58 per cent.
The Gorey CDNT and the Waterford North City CDNT, both run by the HSE, each had a staff vacancy rate of 52 per cent.
The team based at Swords, operated by the Central Remedial Clinic, had a vacancy rate of 47 per cent.
In contrast, the HSE-run CDNT in Finglas had a vacancy rate of 3 per cent.
The two teams with a full staff complement were the Kilkenny CDNT and the Galway City West CDNT, which are run by Enable Ireland.
According to the workforce report, the number of children awaiting care from CDNTs nationally was 9,360 as of November 2025. This was a decrease from 12,900 children in April 2025.
The HSE National Service Plan 2026 commits to reducing waiting lists by 25 per cent, with a “goal of no child waiting more than 12 months”. See news feature.
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