ALMOST a quarter of roles in children’s disability network teams (CDNT) in Bandon, Carrigaline and Kinsale are vacant, new figures show.

More than 200 children are now waiting more than a year for an initial contact by the Southwest CDNT team, HSE data has revealed.

In the south west region which covers Cork and Kerry, there are 620 children awaiting an initial contact from CDNT teams, with 213 children waiting more than 12 months for a first meeting.

There were a further 126 waiting seven to 12 months, 112 waiting four to six months, and 169 waiting less than three months, for an initial contact.

Across the region an average of one in ten roles are vacant, but the scenario is far worse in the Bandon/Carrigaline/Kinsale area, run by the Brothers of Charity, with 24% of roles not filled.

In contrast Co Action’s West Cork CDNT recorded one of the lowest vacancy rates at just 2%, while Central Cork (managed by Cope) recorded 18% vacancy, East Cork City (also Brothers of Charity) recorded 15%, and South Cork City recorded 10% vacancy.

According to the Health Service Executive there are currently 303.9 full-time posts funded across Cork CDNTs but just 274 are filled.

The posts includes dieticians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, play therapists, nurses, patient care, admin and managers.

The highest vacancy rates are for dieticians (40%), patient and client care (17%), physiotherapists (13%), social workers (12%), admin staff (11%), management (9%) and psychologists (8%).

There are only two teams where all posts are filled – Cork East Central and North Cork City & Blarney, which are both managed by Cope.

A HSE spokesperson said nationally, there has been a decrease in vacancy rates from 29% to 18% since October 2023, adding: ‘The HSE and CDNT lead agencies work actively and collaboratively to improve and optimise recruitment.’

Recruitment and retention efforts include sustained engagement with ‘applicant pools’ and potential workforce via engagement with secondary schools, higher education institutes, and international applicants.

The HSE noted that the first ever virtual ‘disabilities virtual career fair’ took place in May, and there have been webinars with applicant pools.

The spokesperson added that outside agencies managing CDNTs on behalf of the HSE can now access HSE national recruitment panels and new graduate panels.