HSE invited to explain Laois special needs therapist recruitment plan

The Health Service Executive is to be asked to a meeting with Laois County Council to discuss how they will recruit more therapists for Laois special needs schools.

Newly elected Fine Gael TD Willie Aird requested the meeting as one of his final motions as a councillor in the Portlaoise Municipal District November 2024 meeting.

He wants the HSE Dublin Midlands region's Integrated Healthcare Area Manager to attend too. The IHA Manager's function is "operational accountability for the planning and delivery of safe, high quality integrated and accessible health and social care
services to the population".

"People are just so frustrated. It's very difficult for us to have answers. Early intervention is the most important thing. It looks to me know like we say 'we have money but we don't have therapists'. I'm learning so much from parents on the road canvassing. I'm getting it at every door. Please advance this further along to get people onstream because its needed immediately," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion.

"A lot of people are leaving once they're trained to go to other countries. Then we have to bring in people from other countries to supplement the service. It's an issue for all of the health sector," he said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly and Cllr Tommy Mulligan also back the call.

"Unfortunately it's the vulnerable kids who need this treatment. The amount of kids that are diagnosed but not receiving therapy or dental care," Cllr Mulligan said.