Over 15,000 children overdue Assessment of Need completion
BreakingNews.ie
.
The data shows 15,296 children were overdue at the end of Q1, with just seven per cent of assessments completed within the timeframes set out under the Disability Act 2005 and accompanying regulations.
Advertisement
A total of 1,412 AONs were completed in the first quarter of this year, a 65 per cent increase on the same period in 2024 when 849 were completed. The HSE attributed the increase in part to a €4.5 million allocation in Budget 2025.
Of the current caseload, 1,055 applications were subject to an extended timeframe agreed with parents due to exceptional circumstances.
The HSE Dublin and Midlands region - which includes Dublin South City, Dublin West, Dublin South West, Kildare, West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath - has the highest number of overdue AONs, with 5,694 children awaiting completion. Of those, 593 cases are marked as having exceptional circumstances.
In the Dublin and North East region (North Dublin, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and most of Cavan), 4,855 children are overdue.
Advertisement
The Dublin and South East region (Dublin South, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford) has 2,257 overdue cases, including 327 with exceptional circumstances.
In the South West, covering Cork and Kerry, there are 1,265 children still waiting for an AON.
In the West and North West (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan, Mayo, Galway and Roscommon), 791 children are overdue.
The Mid West region - Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary- has 434 children awaiting assessment.
The HSE warned that if current trends continue, the total number of children waiting for an AON could rise to 24,796 by the end of 2025.
In Q1 2025 alone, 3,131 new applications were received—a 20 per cent increase on the same period in 2024, which saw 2,603 applications.
The proportion of completed AONs that indicate 'No Disability' has also risen, from 15.8 per cent in 2010 to 26 per cent in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the HSE, the rise in AON applications reflects population growth and increased efforts by families to access services for their children.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
23 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Investigation into death of man at Stryker plant still ongoing after two years
An investigation by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) into the death of a contract worker at a Cork factory over two years ago is still ongoing, an inquest has heard. John Murphy (41), a married father from Condonstown, Watergrasshill, Co Cork, sustained third-degree burns across 75 per cent of his body after a suspected explosion at the US medical device manufacturer Stryker's plant in Anngrove, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork on April 18th, 2023. Advertisement He died from his injuries almost two months later on June 9th, 2023, in the specialist burns unit in St James's Hospital in Dublin where he had been transferred after originally being treated at Cork University Hospital for 24 hours. Another work colleague of the deceased was also injured in the workplace accident. Mr Murphy was working for a facilities management company, Apleona, on the roof of the Stryker factory at the time of the fatal incident. He was able to make it down off the roof but became unresponsive a short time later and never regained consciousness before his death. Advertisement An inspector with the HSA, Frank Kearns, told a brief sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court on Wednesday that the circumstances of Mr Murphy's death were still under investigation. Asked by the coroner, Clare Keane, if there was a particular reason why the matter was still with the HSA, Mr Kearns said he was just aware that it was still under investigation but confirmed a file on the case would be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The HSA inspector noted the death had taken place in 2023 but added that such cases 'do take a lot of time.' Mr Kearns said he would ensure that Mr Murphy's family, who did not attend the latest proceedings, would be notified of the outcome of the hearing. Advertisement Dr Keane granted the application by the HSA for a six-month adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act as criminal proceedings are being considered. In a newspaper interview earlier this year, the deceased's family outlined how they were heartbroken at not knowing when they will get closure from his death. Mr Murphy's parents and siblings said no family should have to wait so long for answers over the death of a loved one following a workplace tragedy. 'We have no closure. That is all we want. We are two years waiting for answers. We don't want to still be waiting for them at John's third or fourth anniversaries,' said his mother, Eileen. Advertisement In March 2024, Mr Murphy's family initiated High Court proceedings against Stryker Ireland Limited and Apleona Ireland Limited over his death. A High Court judge also granted their application to have a legal representative attend an engineering inspection of the factory. Meanwhile, trade union Siptu said 'grave health and safety concerns' have been raised about Stryker's operations in Cork following another fire at one of its facilities last week. Siptu spokesperson, Neil McGowan, said the trade union was calling on the US company's chief executive, Kevin Lobo, to intervene at the highest level to ensure that a meeting between local management and worker representatives took place. Advertisement Concerns have been expressed about claims that an automatic alarm system failed to sound following a fire at Stryker's Tullagreen plant in the IDA Business Park in Carrigtwohill on August 6. No injuries were sustained during the incident and all staff were safely evacuated from the building. 'This latest fire highlights a deeply troubling pattern over a number of years at the Stryker plants in Carrigtwohill,' said Mr McGowan. The company, which began operations in Ireland in 1998, now employs 4,100 staff across six locations in Cork. Siptu said its members have been raising health and safety concerns with Styrker about its plants in Carrigtwohill since 2019.
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Simon Harris ‘did all he could' on child scoliosis case, Donohoe says
The Tánaiste 'did all he could' in engaging with health officials about a child with scoliosis who later died, a senior minister has said. Simon Harris has faced calls to resign over unmet pledges around child spinal surgery waiting lists made several years ago. Advertisement It comes amid heightened scrutiny on the matter after the death of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison, who suffered from scoliosis, on July 29th. His parents, Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, learned last August that Harvey had been removed from Children Health Ireland's (CHI) scoliosis waiting list without their knowledge. After they publicly raised their son's case, Harvey, from Clondalkin, received spinal surgery last December after waiting for years. By then, his spinal curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected. Advertisement While he spent years on a waiting list, his spinal curve caused his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing. While health minister in 2017, Mr Harris pledged that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis treatment. Opposition politicians have joined Harvey's mother and father in calling for the Fine Gael leader's resignation, further criticising Mr Harris for failing to meet his parents. Asked if he stood by his party leader on Wednesday, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said Mr Harris has a commitment to supporting families dealing with scoliosis. Advertisement 'Minister Harris, as minister and then as taoiseach and Tánaiste, when he became aware of the needs of the particular family in question here, did all he could in terms of engaging with the Department of Health, in terms of engaging with the HSE, and I'm very conscious that we have a family who have lost a loved one who are grieving at the moment, and we have to respect that and allow them to make the points that they believe are important. 'But alongside that, Simon and the Government have placed huge focus on how we support young children with scoliosis. 'We always want to do more. We always want to make more progress. But additional resources, additional clinical support and operating theatres have all been made available to focus in on supporting those children.' He added: 'Those who are waiting for care have seen a reduction in how long they're waiting. Advertisement 'We're seeing a reduction in the number of people on the waiting list. 'But we know we need to do more, and we will always continue to prioritise this as a vital health issue.' Pressed on whether Mr Harris should be accountable for failures to meet the commitment to cut waiting lists to four months, and resign, Mr Donohoe said: 'We're all accountable through the appearances that we make in front of the Dáil, the questions we deal with in relation to matters of health or any aspect of public policy.'
BreakingNews.ie
6 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Broadcaster Marty Morrissey hails hospice staff as he backs major fundraiser
Broadcaster and author Marty Morrissey has paid tribute to the 'angels' in Ireland's hospices, as he encouraged everyone to get behind a major national fundraiser supporting them. The GAA broadcaster said on Wednesday he is conscious of his own mortality and would like to receive hospice care in his final days, having witnessed it first-hand. Advertisement He was speaking as ambassador for Bewley's Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, the annual charity partnership which has raised €47.6 million for hospice care since 1992. Together For Hospice represents #24Hospices nationwide who come together to fundraise on campaigns such as Hospice Sunflower Days and Bewley's Big Coffee Morning for Hospice. Fundraised income is used by local hospice services to fund new buildings, refurbishment of existing… — Together For Hospice (@TogetherHospice) August 5, 2025 The fundraiser, organised by Together for Hospice, takes place nationwide on September 25. 'My lust for life is as strong today as it was when I was 22 or 23,' the RTE commentator said. 'But as you get older, you're far more conscious of getting blood tests done, dreading the results but hoping everything is fine. Advertisement 'It is the circle of life, all we can do is hope that we can put it (death) off for as long as we can. 'I'm in no rush to get to the other side.' Morrissey said he personally witnessed the compassion shown by hospice staff when relatives received palliative care in the past. 'I thought it was amazing. Anyone who has visited a loved one in a hospice will be aware of the serenity, peace and joy – the good feeling that a loved one is being really well minded,' he added. Advertisement 'The work being done by nurses and care staff is truly incredible, they are a gift from God, they are angels. 'If I was heading into my final days, I would like that for myself and for my family. 'What I'm trying to do as ambassador, in a very small way, is to support the people who do it, and I am urging everyone to go to and get involved.' Dr Sarah McCloskey, chairperson of Together for Hospice, at the National Hospice Movement, said: 'Bewley's Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of our longest and most-loved fundraisers, is now in its 33rd year raising funds for Hospice in-patient and community services around Ireland. Advertisement 'Right across Ireland, we are asking everyone to celebrate our countless coffee morning hosts, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities. It takes a community to ensure care for all! The hospice community is certainly a special one. Anyone who has experienced hospice care, either themselves or by extension through a family member or loved one knows how dedicated the staff are not only to bringing comfort and… — Together For Hospice (@TogetherHospice) August 12, 2025 'This support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, greatly improving care for patients with life-limiting illness.' Col Campbell of Bewley's Ireland said the company is honoured to again support the event, recognised as the country's most successful charity partnership. 'Bewley's, an iconic Irish brand, was founded on the strong principle of caring for people and communities, which ties in perfectly with the ethos of Together For Hospice. Advertisement 'We encourage everyone to host or attend a coffee morning, wherever they are in Ireland, to help support the incredible work that hospices nationwide carry out every day.' Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 25 – or a date that suits – at or call 0818 995 996. Those who cannot host or attend a coffee morning, are asked to donate at
