'Complex and prolonged' assessment of need system in urgent need of reform, report says

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026 - 12:29

Sean Murray

The current assessment of need system is “under significant strain”, with long waiting times and increasing demand causing frustration for children and their families, an Oireachtas committee has said.

In its report on pre-legislative scrutiny on the Government’s proposed new legislation in this area, the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters said a system that is often complex, fragmented and prolonged is in urgent need of reform.

Assessment of need reform will not fix wider crisis of accessing care and children will pay the price

State spends €1.8m fighting court cases against families seeking special education classes for their children

“National Data from 2025 tells us that 87% of children did not receive their Assessment of Need (AON) within the legally required six-month timeframe,” committee chair Maurice Quinlivan said.

“The [new law] must be strengthened to ensure that reform is rights-based, fair in practice, and capable of improving outcomes for children and families.”

The Government has claimed its proposed reforms would lead to a faster and more efficient way of carrying out assessments of need, instead of “tying up therapists’ time unnecessarily”.

Under the proposals, assessment officers will be supported by 11 new teams, comprising 44 expert staff who will provide guidance and support. Each team would have a psychologist, a speech and language therapist, and an occupational therapist.

As part of its scrutiny of the proposals, the Oireachtas committee stressed that assessment is only one element of this and that timely and appropriate supports for children after their assessment is essential.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

“The committee was particularly mindful of the evidence that legislative changes, even when presented as clarificatory or procedural, can have substantial effects on access to statutory assessment and on the lived experience of those relying on the system,” Mr Quinlivan said.

It made a slew of recommendations to the Government, including that implementing the bill be accompanied by a funded workforce and service capacity plan, including multidisciplinary staffing, so that legislative reform is matched by operational capacity.

It added the Department of Children and HSE should regularly publish data on waiting times and determinations.