Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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133. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on waiting lists for assessment of needs in Dublin Mid-West; the average waiting times for assessments in the area; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times [29175/26]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system is a priority for the Government.

There has been intensive work by the Department and the HSE to address delays in the provision of Assessments of Need to children and their families.

Children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.

However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child.

Applications for Assessment of Need have risen from 4,700 applications in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2025. Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond.

As a result, HSE data shows that the number of applications over for completion rose to over 20,200 nationally by the end of last year. This is an unacceptable situation and one that must be addressed.

Although data is not available for Dublin Mid-West specifically, it is provided at Regional Health Area (RHA) level, including for the Dublin and Midlands RHA.

In the Dublin and Midlands RHA, 7,171 applications were overdue for completion at the end of 2025, according to the most recent HSE data.

Nevertheless, there has been a notable improvement in number of completed AON reports in the Dublin and Midlands RHA, increasing by over 90% from 498 to 2024 to 970 in 2025.

These numbers are stark, and each one represents a child or young person. I want to see this situation change so that families do not have to wait so long for their AON application to be processed.

Change is happening. We have seen a notable increase in the number of completed AON reports nationally over the past two years. Over 5,900 reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to 2024, and an 85% increase compared to 2023.

We need to see more. That is why, in December 2025, Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process which will make it more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment.

I want to reassure parents that any proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They will also not alter the six-month timeline in the Act.

The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations An FAQ document has also been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes.

I am determined that improvements to the AON process will result in a noticeable reduction in waiting times for children and their families across the country.

While CDNTs operate separately to the Assessment of Need process, they are instrumental in delivery of assessments, therapies and supports to children with complex needs due to disabilities and their families. I have had the opportunity to visit a number of CDNTs in the area and I remain consistently impressed by the high standard of work being delivered.

The vital supports provided by CDNTs to children with complex needs and to their families are deeply valued by this Government, and we continue to support the HSE in practical and meaningful ways to sustain and strengthen these services. In that context, I particularly welcome the relocation of CDNT 4 to the new Primary Care Centre in Clondalkin, which will provide enhanced facilities and additional space for staff, as well as for the children and families they support.