The Government is to look to recruit speech therapists from Northern Ireland to address shortages in Cavan and Monaghan.
Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, Anne Rabbitte told the Seanad that disability services the local region has a vacancy rate of 25 per cent.
She said work is ongoing to address pay imbalances between Section 38, Section 39 and HSE staff.
Responding to Senator Joe O'Reilly, Minister Rabbitte said prolonged waiting lists could be cut if they can attract more therapists into Ireland.
"Where you are sitting there on the border, international recruitment is actually looking to our neighbours in Northern Ireland, and the qualifications they would have in relation to speech and language," the Minister added.
"And I keep talking about speech and language because speech and language is done in Derry.
"Yet at the same time we cannot recruit the persons that are qualified in speech and language in Northern Ireland in Southern Ireland because there is a component there that is not recognised.
"Perhaps we can recruit in and give the training on the ground for the piece that is missing."
