A charity has claimed there are more than 1,350 children with intellectual disabilities waiting for specialist intervention.
The Cope Foundation is one of the largest providers of services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in Ireland.
It has indicated that it needs a "significant increase" in funding of over €30m a year to meet the growing demands of its service.
A detailed service review, designed to examine the requirements of the charity up until 2023, has been completed and presented to the HSE.
It has identified a number of key areas where significant investment is required.
Among these are currently 400 children waiting assessment for autism spectrum disorder.
Of those who have been assessed, there are over 1,350 children awaiting specialist intervention.
Some of these have been waiting years, the report says.
There are 649 adults identified as having "changing needs", who require further intervention and support to meet these changed needs.
Of the adults requiring support, there are 174 on a residential waiting list - with many having nowhere to call their permanent home.
It is claimed adults with intellectual disabilities are being forced to couch-surf with relatives, because they cannot get access to residential care services.
CEO of Cope Foundation is Sean Abbott: "We are extremely grateful for all the funds we currently receive from both the HSE and the general public.
"However, in the 30 years that I have worked with Cope Foundation, I have never experienced delays this bad.
"It's disheartening both for myself, and my colleagues across the foundation, when we have to consistently say no to families who are desperately seeking help.
"As waiting lists lengthen, we face the very real possibility that children who need support for ASD will age-out of the system and become adults without having received the appropriate intervention and support.
"Equally, we have people whom we support who are couch-surfing between family members as they have nowhere to live on a permanent basis.
"For each of these statistics, there are immeasurable challenges facing these individuals and their families".
The foundation is planning to increase its fundraising activity around specific projects - such as technology and facilities.
Mr Abbott adds: "The people of Cork have been incredibly generous in their support of Cope Foundation since its inception in 1957.
"However, there has never been a time when that support has been needed more.
"In the months ahead, we will be undertaking a significant awareness campaign of the challenges facing Cope, and outlining ways that people and businesses can help."
Over 40% of the adults currently supported by Cope Foundation are over the age of 45.
Main image: Image: Facebook/Cope Foundation
