Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
97. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline any recent engagements his Department has had with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding workforce planning in the disability sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55702/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding workforce planning in the disability sector in multiple fora throughout 2023. Most recently this engagement has been through my interdepartmental workforce steering group which was established in August of this year. The aim of this group is to support the supply and retention of staff within Disability Services. The group meets monthly and is primarily focused on examining and directing efforts to address immediate and longer term staffing needs in the disability services sector. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science are a key member of this group and my department will continue to work closely with them to meet the workforce needs of this sector and ensure that our ambitious targets can be met.
