Newly released Health Service Executive (HSE) data reveals that 7,500 children across Ireland are waiting for their first contact from Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). While the total figure shows a slight improvement from the 8,200 children logged at the end of March, the vast majority of families face long delays, with 4,776 children—more than 63 percent—waiting for over a year just to receive their initial communication from health professionals.
CDNTs provide essential interdisciplinary support for young people with complex needs, including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and psychological support. The current backlog means thousands of children are unable to access early intervention assessments and tailored care plans during critical developmental years.
Severe Regional Disparities Across Healthcare Areas
The official figures reveal significant geographical variations in waiting lists across Ireland’s Regional Healthcare Areas (RHAs). The highest number of children awaiting first contact was recorded in HSE Dublin South East, which covers Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and parts of Wicklow. The region logged 1,946 children on its waitlist, with 1,381 of them waiting for over a year.
HSE Dublin Midlands—covering Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Kildare, West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath—recorded 1,933 waiting children, including 1,423 who have been waiting for more than 12 months. HSE Dublin and North East (covering North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and most of Cavan) followed closely with 1,743 children waiting, 1,091 of whom have waited over a year.
In the HSE Midwest region (Clare, Limerick, and North Tipperary), 1,035 children were awaiting initial contact, with 604 on the list for over a year. By contrast, HSE West and North West—which delivers services across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan, Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon—reported just 127 children awaiting first contact at the end of April.
Staffing Shortages and Sector Expansion
The persistent waiting lists reflect ongoing staffing shortages across Ireland’s 93 CDNTs. These teams are operated by a network of provider organisations: the HSE directly manages 43 teams, Enable Ireland runs 20, and the Brothers of Charity operate six, alongside other voluntary agencies. An official review conducted in late 2025 indicated an 18 percent staff vacancy rate across the network, leaving 457 sanctioned posts unfilled.
Despite these recruitment challenges, workforce capacity has gradually expanded. The HSE confirmed that Whole Time Equivalent staffing across CDNTs has grown by 28 percent since late 2023, adding 448 personnel to local teams. This includes 320 qualified Health and Social Care Professionals deployed directly into community disability services.
Under the National Service Plan, health authorities are targeting a further expansion of 1,050 whole-time equivalent posts across disability services, working towards an overall workforce cap of 23,664 staff. However, advocacy groups emphasize that rapid recruitment and retention measures remain critical to closing regional gaps and ensuring vulnerable children receive timely care.
