Campaigners for children with additional needs wants EU to 'shame Ireland into action'

Rebecca O'Riordan: 'The Government spent over €27,000 dragging our then two-year-old daughter into court, only for them not to contest her case. She is seven now and still waiting. Like so many children up and down the country, we are still waiting for supports that may never come.'

Families waiting for assessments and appropriate school places will next week ask the European Commission to investigate Ireland's failure to meet its legal obligations to children with additional needs.

It comes as the number of children waiting nationally for an assessment of need is expected to hit 25,000 by the end of the year.

Under the Disabilities Act 2005, children are entitled to an assessment of need within six months of their initial application.

A group of parents will travel to Brussels next Wednesday to highlight the “failure of the legislation to deliver what it set out to achieve”.

The group will also present a petition, calling on the Committee on Petitions to direct the European Commission to investigate this as a violation of EU law.

They will also ask that Ireland be directed to access EU assistance and funding, and that its progress is monitored.

Labour councillor Alison Field is among the group of families who have shared their stories, and she will present the committee with its petition. 

"My son James, who has severe autism and is totally nonverbal, has been failed by our State on so many levels,” she said.

James was deprived of essential early intervention help while he was left waiting on a list for almost two years for an assessment of needs and diagnosis.

"I am hoping that the European Petition Committee will advise our Government and make our Government act responsibly in ensuring no child is left behind. That no child is left waiting years for an assessment of needs and an appropriate school place."

Parent, campaigner and spokesperson for Families Unite for Services and Support (FUSS) Rebecca O'Riordan said: "The failure of the legislation to deliver what it set out to achieve has shaped the lives of thousands of children who are waiting in limbo for supports they so urgently need.

"The Government spent over €27,000 dragging our then two-year-old daughter into court, only for them not to contest her case. She is seven now and still waiting. Like so many children up and down the country, we are still waiting for supports that may never come."

The group is travelling to Brussels as as guests of Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, and will also be accompanied by the party's education spokesman Eoghan Kenny.

Mr Ó Ríordáin said: "If the Government won't act, I want the European Parliament and the European institutions to shame Ireland into action.” 

Mr Kenny said there was no ambiguity in the assessment of need legislation. "The HSE themselves are warning the figure waiting could hit 25,000 by the end of the year. This is outright failure."

Last December,  the Government announced a reform to the assessment of need process intended to improve the process. Minister for children Norma Foley said this included "legislative reform and operational improvements to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the assessment of need process". 

"The provision of an effective and efficient assessment of need system continues to be a priority for the Government."