Almost half of assessment of needs team jobs in Cork not filled

The HSE has been criticised for its “scandalous” under-resourcing of assessment of need (AON) teams in Cork, with almost half of the approved positions vacant.

There is a a 45% vacancy rate among the approved staffing complement across Leeside, figures released on foot of a parliamentary question by Independent Ireland Cork North Central TD Ken O’Flynn revealed.

AON teams are employed by the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 to identify a child’s health and educational needs.

Across Cork, there are 14.5 whole-time-equivalent (WTE) posts for AON teams, 10 of which are for assessment-of-need officers and 4.5 for liaison officers. 

Just eight posts are filled, leaving 6.5 WTE positions unfilled.

While the HSE has said that recruitment is under way to fill these positions, no timeline for when candidates would commence work has been provided.

Recruitment in progress

“Recruitment campaigns are currently in progress, the posts have been advertised, and candidates have been shortlisted,” said the HSE.

The figures also show a significant reduction in the number of posts sanctioned for Cork AON teams in recent years, with only two posts sanctioned in 2024, none in 2025, and two in 2026.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr O’Flynn said this is “not an optional service”.

“When almost half of the approved posts are vacant, it is children and families who ultimately bear the consequences,” said Mr O’Flynn.

“Parents should not have to accept an open-ended wait for a statutory assessment simply because the HSE has failed to maintain adequate staffing. Behind every one of these vacant posts is a child in Cork waiting for an assessment and a family waiting for clarity about the support their child needs.”

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said the number of vacant posts was “really worrying”.

“This has a huge impact on children,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

Unacceptable

“As of March, there were 1,894 overdue AONs, some 690 more than the same time last year, and we know that only 258 AONs were completed in the first three months of this year. It is scandalous and unacceptable.

“We have to get to a system where children’s needs are prioritised,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

“The ability to get an AON is so crucial to ensuring a child can reach their full potential. They are entitled to it by law, but that chance is being deprived of them by an under-resourced system.”