PPB councillor blasts government for increase in children overdue for Assessment of Need

People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy has condemned the government for a large increase in children overdue for Assessment of Need.

“HSE documents show that 12,722 children with additional needs are now waiting more than six months for assessment of need (AON) at the end of September,” Cllr Reddy said.

“That’s an increase of nearly 1,600 in just three months, and almost 4,000 higher than at the end of 2023.

“81% of the children who are overdue have been waiting nine months or more for their assessment of need.

“Supports for children with additional needs are in a desperate state.

“There are huge shortages of qualified staff and parents are fobbed off from one agency to another.

“Endless waiting lists force many to go private so their children don’t ‘age out’.”

Cllr Reddy, who is also the founder of Equality in Education Dublin North West, accused both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail of failing those with additional needs.

“The Health Service Executive (HSE) are not providing AONs in the legally mandated time frame as set out in the Disability Act 2005,” he said.

“As a result, 25 families a month on average are compelled to go to court to force the State to provide an AON.

“Children’s Disability Network Teams have an average vacancy rate for therapists of over 30 per cent nationally, this rises to around 40 per cent for occupational therapists, 70 per cent for dietitians, and 70 per cent for play therapists.

“These services need to be staffed and resourced so that assessment of needs are carried out and recommended supports and therapies are delivered within the legal timeframe.

“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have failed those with additional needs for decades.

“We have the resources to end this scandal of neglect and marginalisation.

“The government must act immediately on recruitment and resourcing to ensure that AONs are carried out and recommended supports and therapies are given within the legal timeframe.

“This scandal of neglect must end now.”