Almost 17,000 children with disabilities are facing delayed assessments of need as the new school year approaches, representing an increase from the same period last year.
HSE figures show 16,593 children were classified as “overdue” for an assessment of need (AON) at the end of June, highlighting ongoing systemic delays in providing crucial evaluations that determine children’s educational and therapeutic support requirements.
The assessment of need is a statutory process designed to identify children’s disabilities and outline the health and education services they require. These assessments are critical for accessing appropriate school supports, therapies, and interventions that can significantly impact a child’s educational experience and development.
The timing of these delays is particularly concerning as families prepare for the return to school, with many children potentially starting the academic year without the formal assessments needed to secure proper classroom accommodations and support services.
The increased backlog compared to last year suggests the system continues to struggle with capacity issues, despite the legal requirement to complete assessments within six months of application. Many families report waiting significantly longer than this statutory timeframe.
These delays can have cascading effects on children’s educational progress, as teachers and schools may lack the formal documentation needed to provide appropriate learning supports, assistive technologies, or specialized teaching approaches.
The figures underscore ongoing challenges within Ireland’s disability services system, where demand for assessments consistently outstrips available resources, leaving thousands of children and their families in limbo during crucial developmental years.
Parents and advocacy groups have long criticized these delays, arguing that children are missing critical early intervention opportunities that could significantly improve their long-term outcomes and quality of life.