New figures revealing that over 11,000 children with a disability have waited longer than six months for an Assessment of Need are an “international embarrassment”, campaigner Cara Darmody has said.
An Assessment of Need is carried out when a child or young person has a disability and is in need of care or HSE services.
Families are legally entitled to have the assessment carried out within six months but at the end of June, there were 11,131 children who had waited longer than half a year.
On Breakfast Briefing, Newstalk reporter Andrew Lowth, who obtained the figures by FOI, said things have deteriorated since last year.
“Compared to the end of 2023, there were nearly 8,900 children overdue,” he said.
“So, the waiting list has expanded even further - around 2,200 more children are waiting for this crucial examination compared to the end of last year.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris told Newstalk that a change in the Disability Act should be considered.
"I think from a legislative point of view that's too rigid, I think there's a rigidity around that," he said.
"When I meet parents they're saying, 'My child does need an assessment but actually they don't need the assessment to take that amount of time - they need a shorter assessment and then access to the therapies'.
"I think we need legislative change there," he added.
Monster Meeting
Today, a ‘Monster Meeting’ is taking place outside Leinster House in which protesters will demand better services for children with autism.
Organiser Cara Darmody is only 14-years-old but she has two brothers who have autism.
“Neil is 11 and John is seven and it’s really tough in our house - but there are thousands of kids who are just like them who are rotting on a waiting list," she said.
“I’ve just decided that it is so wrong what’s going on in this country and I’ve decided I want to be the person that changes this.
“I want to be the person to fight for people who cannot fight for themselves.”
Cara Darmody in Government Buildings. with Simon Harris. 18/06/2024. Picture by: Newstalk.Cara described the number of children on a waiting list as an “absolute international embarrassment for the HSE and the Government” and said that “they need to treat this like the house is on fire.”
“I want the Government to issue a State apology for the permanent damage they have caused children with disabilities and for not providing them with proper assessment services or school places,” she said.
“The second thing I want from today is, I want them to provide those things right now - not tomorrow, not six months’ time, not six years’ time, I want them to do it right now.
“The third thing I want is for the Taoiseach to make a very good start by signing the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on Disability Rights.
“He’s at the UN right now, maybe he could consider doing that?”
The rally will take place outside Leinster House today at 11am.
Main image: Cara Darmody outside the Department of the Taoiseach. 16/07/2024. Image: Newstalk
