'We have heard you' - Kilkenny TD welcomes significant changes to child assessments

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has welcomed a series of significant reforms to the Assessment of Need (AON) process, announced under the Disability (Amendment) Act 2025. Deputy McGuinness said these changes mark “a long-overdue and meaningful shift toward a faster, fairer, and more child-centred system.”

A Faster, More Efficient AON Process

Deputy McGuinness said the updated system will ensure children get the help they need sooner:

• AON reports will now be delivered more efficiently, with streamlined processes introduced under the Disability (Amendment) Act 2025.
• 11 expert clinical teams—including psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists—will support assessments nationwide, speeding up delivery and reducing waiting times.
• New guidelines refocus AON on identifying each child’s needs, rather than requiring lengthy diagnostic reports that delay services.

“These changes will cut through unnecessary bureaucracy,” McGuinness said. “Therapists will now spend less time on paperwork and more time doing what matters—providing therapy and support to children and families.”

New Autism Assessment Pathway

Deputy McGuinness also welcomed the upcoming Autism Assessment & Intervention Protocol, due to launch in February 2026:

• A new autism-specific assessment process, led by psychologists, will deliver results faster than the standard AON.
• This protocol will ensure earlier diagnosis, earlier intervention, and less waiting for families in crisis.

Major Funding and Workforce Expansion

Deputy McGuinness highlighted Government commitments in Budget 2026, which will support both immediate capacity and long-term sustainability:

• €20 millionallocated for private clinical assessments—funding 6,000 additional assessments next year.
• 150 extra stafffor Children’s Disability Services in 2026.
• 460 new training placesfor Health & Social Care Professionals, expanding the future pipeline of therapists.

“While private assessments will help reduce the backlog, they are not a long-term solution,” he said. “What matters is building a strong, public, multidisciplinary system—and that’s exactly what these workforce measures support.”

Education System Reforms

Deputy McGuinness also welcomed planned changes within the education system:

• Schools will no longer require professional diagnostic reportsfor entry to special schools or special classes—reducing pressure on families and speeding access to supports.

“This is a significant shift,” he said. “Children will no longer be held back because their parents are waiting for a report.”

Deputy McGuinness emphasised that these reforms come directly in response to concerns raised by parents, advocates, and disability organisations.

“We have heard your issues and we understand them. These changes represent a significant step toward making AONs faster, fairer, and truly focused on children’s needs. There is more work to do, but this is real progress—and I will continue pushing for every improvement needed.”