European Parliament committee seeks report from minister on delays to assessments of need

Rebecca O' Riordan, left, and Alison Field, right, with Jane McKenna, Charlotte Cahill, and George Lawlor, Labour TD with Irish MEPS.

A European Parliament committee has asked the disability minister to report on delays to assessments of need in Ireland and potential breaches of children’s rights.

It comes after Irish mothers — including a woman whose son waited two years for an assessment and is still waiting for services — travelled to Brussels to argue their case.

The European Parliament committee on petitions wrote to disability minister Norma Foley in June after hearing from the mothers.

The letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, says the committee heard about waiting times significantly exceeding the legal limits as well as delays in getting services. 

It noted concerns that people’s rights are being potentially infringed and a request for EU supports to be recommended. 

Alison Field’s son James was diagnosed as autistic at four.

“He got the assessment and the diagnosis, but he didn’t really get any early intervention,” she said.

“He’s totally non-verbal and doesn’t get any speech therapy. James is nearly 13 now, and he does not get speech therapy; how wrong is that?” 

James is under their local children’s network disability team (CDNT), but she said: “Even when you get in under a CDNT, you’re still put on a list for services.” 

Now a Labour councillor and deputy lord mayor of Dublin, she regularly hears from parents still facing these delays.

“The services have meetings for parents, and I’ve stopped going to them [as a mother] because it’s upsetting,” she said.

“You see parents upset; they’re crying when they’re told they are going to be waiting so long for assessment and for services. It just depresses me. You get nothing. You get no help, and you get no support.” 

The family’s summer centres on James, including avoiding holidays abroad or anything that might disrupt his routine.

Alison Field and Rebecca O'Riordan with Jane McKenna, Charlotte Cahill and Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.

“I don’t want him stressed, us stressed, and people around us stressed,” she said.

The trip to Brussels was backed by the Labour Party and MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.

“I was so nervous going in, but I knew [the petitions committee] was there to help us; it felt so good,” Ms Field said.

“They’ve written to Norma Foley, and she basically has six months to come back and say why all these delays are happening.” 

She added: “They listened to us and they’re monitoring the situation now as well.” 

She remains hopeful that despite the growing backlog of applications, this intervention could lead to reforms. 

The disability department confirmed it received the letter.

“The petition is being considered, and a response will issue in due course addressing the issues raised,” a spokeswoman said.

The Government is committed to reducing the “significant delays” for assessment, she also said.

Last year, more than 13,100 applications for assessment were received compared to 4,674 during 2020.