Only 32 of 488 assessments of need in Cork during first half of year within legal timeframe

Just 32 assessments of need (AONs) for disabilities have been completed within the six-month legal timeframe in Cork in the first half of this year, representing 6.5% — considerably below the national average of 9%.

In that period, some 488 AONs were carried out in Cork, but only 32 were completed within the six-month statutory timeline.

The aim of an AON is to identify whether a person has a disability, the nature and extent of the disability, any health and education needs arising from that disability, and what services are required to meet those needs.

Statutory timelines under the Disability Act 2005 state that an assessment report must be completed within six months of the date the application was received.

A HSE spokesperson said: “While the HSE endeavours to meet its legislative obligations under the act, it has struggled to achieve compliance with these timeframes.”

In the first three months of this year, 198 AONs were completed in Cork, nine of which were completed on time, meaning only 4.5% of the assessments were done within the timeframe, below the quarterly national average of 7%.

In the second quarter, completions on time rose to 12% nationally, but were once again below this in Cork, with 290 AONs, 23 of which, or 8%, were on time.

Nationally, over the first two quarters of this year, 2,918 AONs were completed, with only 276 of those, or 9%, carried out within six months.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, said children with disabilities were failed by the Government, led by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“There are areas in Cork where 98% of assessments happened outside of the legally-mandated timeframe,” he said.

“This isn’t just a breach of these children’s rights, it is a breach of the law.

“In no other area in society would it be acceptable for a State body to consistently break the law for 98% of people.

“There needs to be real investment and real tracking to make sure that this investment improves the lives of these children.

“Far too many parents are forced to source private assessments, go into debt, and then find at the end of all of that that there are no therapies available.”

The figures were supplied to Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly on foot of a parliamentary question.

Mr Daly said the rights of almost nine out of 10 children waiting for an AON were not being met by Government.

“Shockingly, the average time for an assessment of need is over two years,” stated Mr Daly.

A HSE spokesperson said that so far this year, it had experienced a 24% increase in AON applications nationally, noting it completed 53% more AONs year-on-year.

The HSE added that it is reviewing its procedures, and that the numbers of assessment officers and liaison officers will be increased this year, prioritised to areas “primarily in Dublin and Cork, with the longest waiting lists”.

It added that it is working to address staff vacancy and would continue to procure capacity from private providers.