Over 20,000 Children Await Disability Assessments in Ireland

At the end of 2025, over 20,000 children in Ireland were overdue for a Disability Assessment of Need (AoN), a significant concern highlighted by recent figures from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The AoN process is part of the Disability Act 2005, designed to determine whether a child has a disability and to assess the nature and extent of their needs.

According to the HSE, a total of 20,209 children were overdue for their assessments, with 16,960 of these waiting more than three months. This backlog includes 1,006 applications where an extended timeframe was agreed upon with parents due to exceptional circumstances. The fourth quarter of 2025 saw 3,616 new applications, contributing to a yearly total of 13,186 applications, marking a 23 percent increase from the 10,690 applications recorded in 2024.

In a positive development, the number of assessments completed in 2025 reached 5,949, which is a 43 percent increase compared to the 4,162 completed in 2024. Despite this progress, only 9.4 percent of assessments were finalized within the statutory six-month timeframe mandated by the Disability Act 2005.

Regional Disparities in Assessment Backlogs

The HSE Dublin and Midlands region reported the highest number of overdue assessments, with 7,171 children awaiting their AoN. This region covers areas including Dublin South City and West, Kildare, and Laois. Of these, 6,385 children have been waiting for over three months.

Following closely is the HSE Dublin and North East, where 6,195 children are overdue for assessment, with 5,243 of them waiting beyond the three-month mark. The HSE Dublin and South East, serving areas such as South-East Dublin and Carlow, has 3,041 children pending assessment, with 2,432 exceeding the three-month wait.

Additionally, the HSE South West, which encompasses Cork and Kerry, has 1,851 children waiting for AoN, with the majority—1,348—waiting over three months. The HSE West and North West, covering regions like Donegal and Galway, also faces similar challenges.

Plans for Improvement and Trends in Assessments

In light of these significant waiting lists, the HSE has announced the introduction of a Single Point of Referral Access for all Children’s Primary Care, Disability, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) Services, which will include AoNs. The initiative aims to streamline the process and improve access to necessary services.

Furthermore, the HSE plans to increase the number of Assessment Officers and Liaison Officers, prioritizing areas such as Dublin and Cork.

Interestingly, the percentage of AoNs resulting in a finding of ‘No Disability’ has risen from 15.8 percent in 2010 to 29 percent in 2025. The HSE views this trend as significant, indicating that assessors have dedicated time to evaluating these requests.

The ongoing situation underscores the urgent need for improvements in the assessment process to ensure timely support for children with disabilities in Ireland.