This is the message from Galway West TD, John Connolly, who raised the issue in the Dáil and in correspondence with the HSE.
The Fianna Fáil deputy is concerned that two-out-of-three Occupational Therapist positions are vacant in the HSE’s CDN ‘team 4’ which covers Conamara, the Aran islands, Oughterard, Maigh Cuilinn, and Barna.
“Occupational therapy is an important service covering a variety of conditions, from major injuries to living with serious illness, to Down Syndrome, to assisting neurodiverse people with various needs,” said Connolly. “The lack of services means many children across the Gaeltacht, the islands, and the city’s western hinterlands are not getting the services they require, and all the while, waiting lists are growing.”
The Galway West CDN area is entitled to three Occupational Therapists, but only one is currently employed. According to correspondence addressed to Connolly from the HSE, these vacancies resulted from ‘significant staff vacancy rates and recruitment challenges’ since the development of the Children’s Disability Network Team in 2021.
“There are substantial challenges to getting and holding onto staff for a demanding position like an Occupational Therapist,” says Connolly, “But such therapy, addressing physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional challenges, improves children’s abilities to perform everyday activities and enhances their independence.”
“This only reinforces the need for a vigorous recruitment drive from the HSE, and for the Department of Health to provide the resources this kind of drive requires.”
