Almost 2000 Kildare children waiting for an Assessment of Need – TD

Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh has slammed the government for its “shameful failure” to address the deepening crisis in Assessments of Need (AON) for children.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh was responding to figures obtained by Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly which reveal that almost 2,000 children were overdue an AON in the Kildare/West Wicklow area at the end of September, the vast majority already years waiting.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said: “Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Regional Independents continue to fail children living in this state.

“The situation is stark. In Kildare/West Wicklow, 1953 children are waiting for an AON.  This is a 6.8% increase since Q2 of this year. Across the state, the number of children waiting for an AON has ballooned to 18,097. This is an almost 10% increase since Q2 of this year, when the figure was at 16,593.”

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The Sinn Féin TD pointed out that under the Disability Act 2005, there is a legal requirement to provide an AON within six months.

However, she said, today's figures reveal a worsening situation for children.

She said: “The average wait time for an AON has surged to over 27 months.  That is an increase of more than two months since Q2, when the average wait time stood at 24.93 weeks.

“Children and families are being failed dramatically, left in limbo waiting for supports they are meant to be entitled to.

According to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, a shocking 9 in 10 assessments are not completed within the legal timeframe.

In Kildare, she said, “0%” of children have had their AON completed on time, and in 15 areas across the State, 0% of assessments are completed in time. 

She added: “Sinn Féin has repeatedly laid out the clear and concrete steps this government must take if it is serious about tackling AON waiting lists and complying with its legal and moral obligations. Unfortunately, these calls fell on deaf ears and the situation continues to deteriorate.

“The government must make emergency funding available and commit to a specific timeframe in which it will meet its legal obligations.

“The government must outline a refreshed workforce plan to train, recruit, and retain staff; and provide adequate funding for special needs services, including the provision of appropriate school places for children with additional needs.

“Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for children and their families until the government lives up to its responsibilities.”