Kildare TD Criticises "Press Release" Politics As 18,000 Children Await Assessment Of Need

Wednesday, 10 December 2025 08:47

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

In Kildare, almost 1,500 children are waiting for occupational therapy, with close to 1,600 waiting for speech and language therapy.

The Government has been accused the Government of relying on press releases instead of fixing assessment of need services.

More than 18,000 children are now overdue an assessment of need.

The HSE is projecting that figure could rise to over 25,000 by the end of the year.

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall argued that promised reforms will fail unless recruitment and retention problems in disability services are tackled.

He said even when assessments take place, there are not enough staff to deliver follow-on therapies.

In Kildare, almost 1,500 children are waiting for occupational therapy, with close to 1,600 waiting for speech and language therapy.

Deputy Wall's comments come as Children's Minister Norma Foley announced a number of reforms to the assessment of need system.

She said the assessment will 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 are also expected to 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.

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