DONEGAL TDs have slammed the government for its “shameful failure” to address the deepening crisis in Assessments of Need (AON) for children.
Sinn Féin Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty were responding to figures obtained by the political party which reveal that a staggering 346 children in Donegal are overdue an AON.
Of the 55 children who have received an AON this year, only one received it within the legal six-month timeframe.
Figures also show that 18,097 children across the state are waiting on an AON, with the average waiting time now over 27 months.
The aim of an AON is to identify whether a child has a disability, the nature and extent of the disability, any health and education needs arising from that disability, as well as what services are required to meet those needs.
Speaking this week, Teachta Mac Lochlainn said: “New figures from the HSE concerning AON are a damning indictment of government’s approach to children with disabilities.
“346 children in Donegal are currently waiting for an AON and of the 55 that have received an AON this year, only one received it within the legal six-month timeframe.
“The crisis is widespread across the state.
“The number of children waiting for an AON has ballooned to 18,097.
“This is an almost 10 per cent increase since Q2 of this year, when the figure was at 16,593.
“Under the Disability Act 2005, there is a legal requirement to provide an AON within six months but wait times have surged to over 27 months.”
Teachta Mac Lochlainn said these numbers are scandalous.
“Government continue to fail children living in this state,” he said.
Teachta Doherty added: “We warned that this would happen.
“We told government repeatedly that their approach was flawed and that the crisis would get worse.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly laid out the clear and concrete actions government must take if they are serious about complying with its legal and moral obligations.
“Unfortunately, they refused to listen and the situation continues to deteriorate.”
He said the government must make emergency funding available and commit to a specific timeframe in which it will meet its legal obligations.
“The government must outline a refreshed workforce plan to train, recruit, and retain staff; and provide adequate funding for special needs services, including the provision of appropriate school places for children with additional needs,” he said.
“We know that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are incapable of solving this crisis.
“They have proven this year on year as the number of children languishing on waiting lists for supports continues to soar.
“Without a change in approach, waiting lists will continue to surge, children will continue to be denied the essential education and interventions that they are entitled to and government will carry on breaking the law.
“Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for children and their families until the government lives up to its responsibilities.”
