George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)

The appalling waiting lists for children in Ireland awaiting an assessment of need that we have heard listed out today are nothing short of a national disgrace. It is an indictment of the values of society that we allow vulnerable children to languish in limbo, with their futures hanging in the balance, while bureaucratic inefficiencies and systematic failures continue to plague our health and education systems. This situation is not just a logistical nightmare; it is a moral failing that demands our immediate attention and action.

Every day countless families, such as Cara Darmody's, and I pay tribute to her, find themselves caught in this agonising waiting game, often for years as we all know, as they seek the assessments necessary to secure vital services and supports for their children. These are not just numbers on a list; these are real children, each with unique needs and potential, who deserve better than to be treated as an afterthought. The impact of these waiting lists is profound, not only on the children but also their families, who are left to navigate a maze of uncertainty and frustration. The emotional toll is staggering as parents are forced to watch their children struggle without access to the help they so desperately need.

Of course, the assessments of need waiting times are just the beginning of what can only be described as a list to get on a list. Once the assessment is carried out for those lucky enough to be in the 7% who manage to get an assessment in a relatively timely manner, they then face the prospect of yet another extensive and prolonged wait to access the therapies they have assessed as being in need of. One manager working in the services told me that by the time children access the need they were initially assessed for, that need may well have completely changed, which in turn leads to further and more complex problems for those children and their families.

I appreciate that the reasons behind the lengthy waiting times are multifaceted, ranging from insufficient funding to a shortage of qualified professionals, yet these explanations do little to alleviate the suffering experienced by families. We must demand accountability from this Government and health authorities. How can we justify a system that prioritises red tape over the well-being of our youngest and most vulnerable children? The lack of urgency in addressing this crisis is absolutely infuriating. We are failing an entire generation of children who are being denied timely access to assessments that could and will significantly improve their quality of life and educational outcomes.

These waiting lists reflect broader societal issues, such as the stigma surrounding mental health issues and disability. By allowing the children to wait in silence, we are sending a message that their needs are not a priority and that their struggles are not worthy of our immediate attention. This attitude must change. We need to foster a culture that recognises the importance of early intervention and support and values every child's right to a fair shot at success. For too long, parents, advocacy groups and families have had to plead in unison and demand change. It is absolutely incumbent on us as public representatives to hold our Government to account and insist that it prioritise the resources and infrastructure needed to address this crisis. The time for excuses is over; the time for action is now. We need a comprehensive plan that includes increased funding, the recruitment of additional professionals and streamlined processes that eliminate unnecessary delays.

The waiting list for children in Ireland awaiting an assessment of need is a glaring example of systematic failure that must be addressed. Our children deserve better. They deserve timely assessments and the support they need to thrive. Let us not be complacent in the face of injustice. The future of our society depends on how we treat our most vulnerable members. We cannot afford to fail them any longer.

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