Disability services for Cork children 'all but shut down' due to staff shortages

'The situation is dire but there is just no urgency in addressing it', says Cork campaigner

Rebecca O’Riordan of disability advocacy group FUSS:  'It really is loaves and the fishes because even if these teams were fully staffed, the staff-to-family ratios make it impossible to provide a safe and effective service.' File picture: Jim Coughlan

A 46% staff vacancy rate in children’s disability services in Cork suburbs has left services for vulnerable children “all but shut down”.

According to HSE figures, 146 children with additional needs are still awaiting first contact from the Children’s Disability Network Team for the Douglas, Blackrock, Mahon, and Passage West areas.