New autism protocol aims to tackle waiting lists for assessments of need

(Left to right) Emer Higgins, minister of state at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality with special responsibility for Disability, Norma Foley, minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, minister for Health and Anne O'Connor, HSE CEO at the launch of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

A new autism assessment launched on Tuesday will not be rolled out until July at the earliest, with advocates warning that funding and staffing are needed to ensure it makes a difference.

It is part of a Government response to spiralling waiting lists for assessments of need. Average wait times can now reach 27 months even though there is a statutory legal timeframe of six months.