20 February 2025
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie

Health Politics

File photo of Deputy Rice

Growing Assessment of Need waiting lists mean that the HSE is struggling to meet its legislative obligations under the Disability Act, according to Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Pádraig
Rice.

Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central and is the party’s health spokesperson,
said: “Figures provided to the Social Democrats by the HSE lay bare the full extent of the crisis in disability services in Ireland.

“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 CHO4, which includes Cork and Kerry, there were 1,163 overdue applications, of which
746 had been waiting over three months.

“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.

“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.”