Kildare Among Worst Hit Areas As 1,366 Children Await Critical Assessment Of Needs For Over Six Months

Thursday, 21 November 2024 10:16

By Martin Osborne

Internal HSE documents show 1,366 children across Kildare and West Wicklow are waiting.

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

Internal HSE documents show 1,366 children across Kildare and West Wicklow are waiting.

Across the entire CHO7 area, the figure is 4,205.

Nationally, 12,722 children with additional needs are now awaiting more than six months for the vital assessment as of the end of September.

That’s up from 11,131 children who were overdue an assessment at the end of June, and from 8,900 at the end of 2023.

81% of children overdue have been waiting nine months or more for an assessment of need.

Under the Disability Act, there is a statutory requirement for such assessments to be carried out within six months.

Ciara Reilly's 5-year-old daughter Doireann, who has autism, has been waiting over 3 years for a completed assessment.

Ciara says it's crucial the State recognises her daughter's disability:

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