Number of children in Cork waiting for assessment jumps 60%

The number of children in Cork overdue for an assessment of needs (AON) to determine whether or not they have a disability has increased by almost 60% in a year.

AONs identify the nature and extent of a disability, health, and education needs arising from that disability, and what services are required to meet those needs.

Under the Disability Act 2005, an assessment report must be completed within six months of the date an application was received. However, this deadline is regularly missed.

Data provided in the Dáil shows that the number of overdue AONs in Cork increased again – to 1,894 – as of the end of March, up from 1,206 some 12 months earlier. Broken down, the figures, provided by the minister for children, disability and equality, Norma Foley, showed there were 813 overdue assessments in the Cork North Lee area; 524 in Cork South Lee, 460 in Cork North, and 97 in West Cork.

Of these, 164 AONs are overdue for less than a month, 206 between one and three months, and 1,524 more than three months. No further breakdown showing exactly how long the latter group, which makes up more than 80% of the total whose AON is overdue, are waiting.

Meanwhile, just 258 AONs were completed in the first three months of this year — 118 in Cork North Lee; 68 in Cork South Lee; 54 in Cork North, and 18 in Cork West.

Ms Foley said that improvements to the AON process were announced in December 2025, including legislative and operational changes which aim to make it more effective and efficient for children and families.

“Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment,” she said.