Kilkenny senator: HSE struggling to meet obligations as Assessment of Need waiting lists grow

Growing Assessment of Need waiting lists mean that the HSE is struggling to meet its legislative obligations under the Disability Act, according to Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson. 

“Figures provided to the Social Democrats by the HSE lay bare the full extent of the crisis in disability services in Irelandl," said Senator Stephenson.

“Nationally, there were 14,221 applications for an Assessment of Need overdue for completion by the end of last year. Of these, 11,693 had been waiting more than three months for an appointment. 

In CHO5, which includes Carlow and Kilkenny, there were 573 overdue applications, of which 475 had been waiting over three months. The Kilkenny-based senator says the Government needed to get to grips with the problem.

“Under the Disability Act 2005, an Assessment of Need must be completed within six months. However, the HSE is struggling to meet its legislative obligations, with just 10.4 per cent of assessments completed in 2024 within the timeframes set out in the Act and accompanying regulations," she said.

“As children languish on unacceptably long waiting lists, they are being denied access to early intervention treatments, as well as any educational or financial supports they may be entitled to. The Minister for Health and HSE must urgently get to grips with this crisis.”