HSE and union clash over redeployment of children's therapists to special schools

Rollout of pilot schools programme has begun but it emerged in recent weeks this can only be staffed by taking therapists from elsewhere.

A row has broken out between the HSE and trade union Fórsa over the redeployment of therapists from children’s community disability teams into special schools.

Rollout of this pilot schools programme has begun but it emerged in recent weeks this can only be staffed by taking therapists from elsewhere.

This is despite a workforce review already finding an average vacancy rate of 36% in children’s disability network teams (CDNT) last year.

On September 23, HSE assistant national director of disability services Bernard O’Regan met with therapists and Fórsa to discuss this crisis.

The union asked for recruitment to the pilot programme to start before it is rolled out to avoid negative impacts for the work of children's disability teams. 

However in a follow-up email, seen by the Irish Examiner, Mr O’Regan said: "We have considered this and I am writing to indicate that we are unable to accede to your request.

“This is a significant commitment by Government and as public servants we are required to implement it. It is not open to us to delay it in any way.” 

He added: “We will be asking staff to provide the in-person supports on site in the nominated special schools, commencing by the end of September 2024.” 

The HSE is “prioritising recruitment for the backfilling of these teams”, he said. 

Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly described this as a “disappointing” stance.

“From our vantage point, it appears that this pilot is a politically motivated priority ahead of an election rather than any meaningful attempt to provide much-needed services to children and families,” she responded to him.

Details of the pilot programme remain unclear, she said.

“Given the strong views of our members on this issue and in order to protect the current CDNT service provision, Fórsa will not agree to the redeployment or reassignment of any current CDNT staff member to the proposed pilot,” she said.

The union will now consult with its members.

Cork mother Rebecca O’Riordan, from advocacy group Fuss Ireland, warned this shows: “We have lost so many staff, that this is now the only pool of staff.” 

She is aware already of parents relying on ‘Dr Google’ to find therapeutic exercises as they cannot get their child seen by a therapist for help.

Some special schools have also criticised the unclear selection criteria for the pilot.