Children with disabilities waiting years for vital services

A joint Oireachtas committee heard that 65% of respondents to a 2021 Down Syndrome Ireland survey reported that they had received zero speech and language therapy sessions, 87% had received zero occupational therapy and 70% had received zero physiotherapy in the previous year.

Children with disabilities are waiting for up to five years for vital services, a joint Oireachtas committee on disability services has heard.

Despite the recommendation for speech and language therapy sessions to be accessed weekly for children with down syndrome, parents are waiting years for a range of therapies leading to regression and falling behind.