HSE fails to assess 2,500 kids for disability

The HSE failed to process as many as 2,500 applications from parents to have their children’s needs assessed on foot of a disability — despite a legal requirement to do so within six months.

Of 5,818 applications in 2015, just 3,318 (less than 60%) had assessments completed. Under the 2005 Disability Act, the assessments must be completed within six months. However, just 1,035 were conducted within this timeframe.

In fact, “some” of the 1,035 required an extended timeframe due to “exceptional circumstances”, the HSE said, as permitted under the regulations.