Children's Minister Announces Reforms Of Assessment Of Need Process, Admits System Is Broken

Tuesday, 9 December 2025 15:50

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall said that "without the structures in place, this will not be worth the paper it’s written on".

The government is reforming the assessment of need process.

It follows rising waiting lists for an assessment, with latest HSE figures revealing a backlog of over 18,000.

Kildare is among the highest areas in the CHO7 region where children with additional needs are now awaiting more than six months for an Assessment Of Need.

The changes will see the assessment focus on supports needed for children rather than a potential diagnosis.

There will also no longer be a need for the official report to access special education schools and classes.

11 new teams with 44 staff will be hired next year, in an effort to tackle the backlog.

Each unit will include a psychologist, a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and an administrator.

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall said that "without the structures in place, this will not be worth the paper it’s written on. With over 18,000 children overdue an assessment of need, it is abundantly obvious that the only truthful thing this Government has said on AONs is that the process is 'no longer fit' for purpose".

He added: "It’s devastating for any family to know that they face a battle with the State simply to get their child the support that they need. Every day they have to fight for basic services for their child. If it’s not an assessment, it’s the therapies, if it’s not the therapies, then it’s the school place or a bus place. These families have to fight tooth and nail for something that is an automatic right for every other child in this State, but for those with additional needs, it is always a fight."

Children’s Minister Norma Foley admitted that the current system is a broken one.