Outrage at 20-week medical priority assessments

Red Network councillor Madeleine Johansson has strongly criticised South Dublin County Council following confirmation that medical priority housing applications are taking an average of 20 weeks to process.

Responding to figures revealed at the September council meeting, Councillor Johansson said the delays are “utterly unacceptable” and are leaving some of the most vulnerable people in the community waiting far too long for urgent housing support.

Johansson welcomed the commitment to bring assessment times down to 12 weeks through additional staff resources but warned that even this timeframe is too long for families and individuals facing acute medical needs.

“We are talking about people whose health and wellbeing are at risk because of unsuitable housing. Twenty weeks is nearly five months, and even 12 weeks means three months of unnecessary hardship. The council must treat these cases with the urgency they deserve and ensure people in medical crisis at least get a response without delay,” she said.