Assessment of Need delays reach record levels in Ireland

Children with disabilities are facing record delays in accessing their legal entitlement to an Assessment of Need (AON), with new data revealing widespread breaches of the six-month statutory deadline set out under the Disability Act 2005. These Assessment of Need delays in Ireland highlight a growing crisis for families trying to secure timely support for their children.

Across the country, average waiting times have now stretched to more than two years, which are the longest delays ever recorded. In the first half of this year alone, fewer than one in ten assessments were completed within the required timeframe. Out of more than 2,900 assessments carried out nationwide, only 276 took place within the six-month statutory deadlines.

The statistics present a stark picture of inequality, as ten counties revealed so far this year, no child has had their rights under law upheld, including Cork West, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Kildare, Limerick and the areas of the Dublin South West and the Dublin West HSE. These figures underline how the Assessment of Need delays in Ireland continue to impact children unevenly across the country.

Advocates warn that delays in diagnosis and intervention have serious long-term consequences for children, whose development depends on timely access to supports. More than 16,500 children are already overdue for an assessment this year, with projections suggesting this number could reach 25,000 by the end of 2025.

The HSE has accepted the scope of the issue. Its chief executive, Bernard Gloster, has informed the Oireachtas Disability Committee that the organisation “hasn’t a hope” of meeting the legal targets under the existing system, and has claimed that reform of the legislation is needed. He revealed plans to roll out a new “single-door” system in October, which will simplify application processes and ensure children are sent to the right service, avoiding families being passed from one department to another.

At the same time, an increasing number of parents are bringing the issue to court, asking the High Court to compel the HSE to conduct assessments for their children. Pressure groups and opposition spokespeople are also calling for emergency funding, transparency about the future workforce, and an end to the backlog, warning that it will worsen unless decisive action is taken.

At Coleman Legal LLP, we are assisting several families who have faced unacceptable delays in accessing their children’s legal entitlements under the Disability Act 2005. If your child has been waiting more than six months for an Assessment of Need, you may be entitled to take action. Our team has extensive experience supporting families impacted by Assessment of Need delays in Ireland, and we are here to provide confidential advice and guidance.

Our dedicated team has extensive experience in public law, disability rights, and medical negligence. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for a confidential consultation. You can reach us by phone at our toll-free number 1800-844-104 or by email at [email protected].