Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Growing numbers of children and their families across Ireland are being left waiting for assessments of need well in excess of the legal timeframes permitted. According to the Disability Act 2005, an assessment of need must be completed within six months of the date the application is received. I have received new figures from the HSE which show that, at the end of 2024, there were 14,221 children overdue an assessment of need. That is an increase of nearly 60% compared with 2023. That is 60% in just 12 months.

As the Taoiseach knows, early intervention is key. Getting a quick assessment followed by services and supports means the child can reach their full potential. According to the HSE, the average duration of the assessment period is now more than two years - two years. Even more, when a child gets their assessment of need, they can be left waiting years for services and supports which often never materialise. The State is failing children and their families. This is creating huge stress and pressure. Children are being left behind during these critical early years of their development. To make matters worse, we cannot even rely on these figures. In some areas, manipulation of waiting lists is taking place. Some families have been told their child has been put on a waiting list to be put on a waiting list. Not only is this completely disingenuous, it adds to the significant stress and pressure families experience.

The situation is so bad that there are now several law firms who will issue a legal complaint to the HSE on a family's behalf after three months and initiate legal proceedings after six months. This typically results in the HSE providing an assessment of need through contracting a private service. Families who do not go down this route are left at the back of the queue while legal costs for the State are mounting. Instead of the State forking out money on legal fees, would it not be much better to instead spend the money on ensuring the legal timeframes are met in the first place?

During the election campaign, the Taoiseach said the establishment of multidisciplinary teams in schools, including speech and language and occupational therapists, would be a red line issue for Fianna Fáil if it were returned to Government. He also said work would begin on this on day one. Will the Taoiseach tell the 14,221 children and their families who are overdue an assessment of need what this Government is doing about it? When will the Government meet the six-month legal timeframe for completing the assessment of needs, and when will the multidisciplinary teams that were promised be put in place?

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