Disabilities Assessments
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Emer Higgins (FG), Dublin Mid-West

The autism protocol was launched before the summer. Since then, HSE staff have been trained up in it so the anticipation is that this will be formally rolled out next month. We are waiting for a full update from the HSE in that regard, but I know a lot of work has gone into the training since then and the launch has put this into focus in terms of the specific figure the Deputy is looking for. The HSE reports that at the end of June, 23,282 children were overdue an assessment of need report within the statutory timeframe. Obviously, that is completely unacceptable and is something we are very committed to changing. That is why we are bringing in a number of reforms to change that. Part of that reform package will be the Bill coming before the House next month.
The autism assessment and protocol will also be part of how we help address this, as well as single point of access which the HSE is rolling out to ensure there is no wrong door for families. We will also continue our wait-list initiative to ensure we are continuing to supplement our teams and CDNT teams by outsourcing to ensure we can get through those numbers as quickly as possible because it is totally unacceptable. I will point out that an assessment of need is not required to access services and the number on our waiting list for CDNT teams has reduced quite significantly in recent years. Therapies are being provided to many of those children which is very important.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17