Scandalous – Children’s disability posts not filled

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has said that it was an absolute scandal that 80 new therapy posts for children’s disability services at a cost of €4 million announced in January have not been filled.

Deputy Seán Crowe said;

“In January, 80 new therapy posts for children’s disability services were announced at an estimated cost of €4million and unbelievabley up until today have still have not been advertised or filled.

“The HSE need to explain what is actually causing this inexcusable delay to these vital therapy posts and how many will be needed to ensure that the proposed new Disability Network Teams are fully staffed.

“We are also still in the dark regarding the estimated cost for fully implementing EPSEN (the Education for Persons with Special Needs Act 2004,) and particularly the section on Individual Educational Plans for children with disabilities.

“This is the 10th year of that ground breaking Act being passed and its still to successive governments’ shame not fully implemented.

“If we are to achieve an inclusive society, the HSE need to ensure that children with disabilities are given the supports they need and they can begin by ending the scandal of these 80 unfilled therapy posts.”