A Laois TD has pressed the government to take action to address the ‘unacceptable waiting times’ for children to have an assessment of need (AON) done.
Speaking in the Dail he stated, Deputy Brian Stanley accused the government of ‘breaking the law’ over the issue.
He said: “The fact that the Government is still breaking the law years after this matter was highlighted is absolutely scandalous.
“Referrals are supposed to be made in three months and assessments completed within six.
“The situation is getting worse, with the number waiting now over 18,000, as has been outlined here.”
Deputy Stanley also highlighted the situation in Laois, labelling it an ‘absolute scandal’.
He said: “In Laois–Offaly, the figures are ballooning. What is happening is an absolute scandal.
“The average waiting time for a referral is 21 months-plus. It can be plus another six, eight or 12 months, and some must wait for over two years.
“Figures I have got in answer to parliamentary questions show the situation got worse even between October and November of this year.
“After waiting for a referral and the completion of an assessment, a child finds there are few or no services. According to replies I am getting to parliamentary questions; the picture is not getting any better.
“The CDNTs (child disability network teams) in Laois are threadbare. Network 11 has eight vacant posts and network 12 has 11, and this is in a relatively small county.
“There are a total of 19 vacancies in the CDNT teams. There are no behavioural therapists or therapy assistants.
“Only 50% of the physiotherapy posts are filled, and the same applies to social worker posts. There has been no occupational therapist for child services up to recently.
“This is what the HSE told me in a letter. It also stated there is no approval to recruit occupational therapists.
“All of these things are causing problems for children and their families. Children are regressing because of the lack of intervention and services.
“This is leading to problems now, but it is going to lead to bigger problems in later life. Therefore, the government needs to stop breaking the law.
“It and the HSE have not set targets. I cannot figure out why the government has not done so. If it has no targets, it will not make progress.
“The problems have been clear for decades. We do not have the staff in the right place. We need a clear workforce plan to train and retain staff.
“The fact that the state has to go to the private sector and pay €3,500-plus for each assessment of need shows a complete failure.
“We need to recruit the staff and retain them. We need to get at it now. What I suggest has been referred to here for years; it needs to be done.”
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