Donegal’s Children’s Disability Network Teams allocated three new positions for 2026
The HSE confirmed new positions and staff vacancies at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West
Five staff vacancies remain across Donegal’s Children’s Disability Network Teams, the HSE has confirmed.
The vacancies include three permanent social care worker posts, one temporary speech and language therapist post and one permanent social worker post. They are all in the active recruitment stage.
The update was given at the Regional Health Forum West to forum chair, Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry McMonagle.
He was told that three social care worker posts have been accepted and are going through pre-employment clearances, while the social worker post is being offered through a recruitment panel.
The HSE also confirmed that Donegal CDNTs have been allocated three new positions for 2026.
Cllr McMonagle acknowledged the work being done by the HSE to address staffing gaps.
“We are certainly whittling them down,” he said.
He asked that the HSE continue to focus on the issue and ensure that all current vacant posts are filled as quickly as possible.
“It’s important that our children get the necessary support and care that they need, especially in their formative years,” he said.
In its response, the HSE said there are significant global shortages of qualified healthcare professionals, and many disciplines working in disability services have been included on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s Critical Skills Occupations List.
It said disabilities are part of the overall HSE resourcing strategy and workforce planning, with a focus on increasing workforce capacity and sustainability.
"Within recruitment, there is a particular focus on Irish-trained overseas applicants and international recruitment with a relocation package marketed to Irish-trained Health & Social Care Professionals who have travelled overseas," said Maria Ferguson, Regional Director for People, HSE West and Northwest.