Over 100 children in the Shannonside region are overdue a vital HSE disability assessment. Children with the likes of autism are waiting to have an assessment of need completed - and is nearly 1,600 more nationally in the space of 3 months. At the end of the third quarter of this year, 119 children in the region were waiting for an assessment of need to be completed beyond statutory timeframes. Latest figures revealed in an internal HSE document show over 12,000 children are overdue an assessment nationally.
The Disability Act states children are entitled to a completed assessment of need within six months of a request or a referral. It allows parents of these children many with profound additional needs to find out what services they require from the State such as Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy. There are 43 children awaiting an assessment of need in the Longford/Westmeath area whilst there are 39 children waiting in Sligo/Leitrim. Meanwhile, 37 children are currently awaiting an assessment of need in Co. Roscommon.
