Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Page 70 of the programme for Government states that this Government will improve services and increase supports for people with disabilities, particularly early assessments and intervention for children with special needs. I recently obtained a response to a parliamentary question on the number of children awaiting assessment under early intervention teams in Laois and Offaly. It showed that there are 105 children in Laois waiting more than six months, and 95 children are waiting more than 12 months while in Offaly, 125 children are waiting more than six months and 69 children are waiting 12 months or more.

The story does not get much better for occupational therapy. There are 350 children in Offaly currently waiting and 461 children in Laois are awaiting occupational therapy assessments. The long waiting times are having a serious impact on children's well-being and education. I have been contacted by many parents and teachers about this issue in Laois and Offaly. What action will the Government take in order to address this situation and end the unacceptable waiting times for children accessing basic services such as occupational therapy and assessments for early intervention?

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