Parents of children with special needs are forced to “jump through hoops” to access basic services, according to Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan.
Speaking in the Dáil, O’Callaghan revealed that 14,221 children in Ireland are overdue an assessment of need.
He referenced the struggles of singer Radie Peat (Lankum) and her partner Daniel Lambert (Kneecap manager), who shared their fight for services for their autistic daughter on RTÉ’s Oliver Callan show.
He cited a 2022 High Court ruling that contributed to a rise in overdue assessments, but emphasized that staffing levels and services have increased in recent years.
She shared the case of a six-year-old boy from Waterford with autism, whose family was told he would have to wait ten years for essential dental surgery.
He acknowledged that while large amounts of funding have been allocated to dental services, the lengthy wait times for children with additional needs remain a serious issue.
As pressure mounts, both special needs services and dental care waitlists are expected to remain key political issues in the coming months.
Speaking in the Dáil, O’Callaghan revealed that 14,221 children in Ireland are overdue an assessment of need.
He referenced the struggles of singer Radie Peat (Lankum) and her partner Daniel Lambert (Kneecap manager), who shared their fight for services for their autistic daughter on RTÉ’s Oliver Callan show.
Taoiseach Acknowledges Crisis, Pledges Change
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the current situation as “not tenable”, saying it is his “objective to change this story” and insisting that supporting children with additional needs is a key government priority.He cited a 2022 High Court ruling that contributed to a rise in overdue assessments, but emphasized that staffing levels and services have increased in recent years.
Children Waiting Over Four Years for Dental Surgery
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald raised concerns about long waiting lists for specialised dental surgery, describing the situation as “heartbreaking”.She shared the case of a six-year-old boy from Waterford with autism, whose family was told he would have to wait ten years for essential dental surgery.
She also pointed out that there are now 25% fewer public dentists than in 2006.
Taoiseach Calls Delays ‘Unacceptable’
Micheál Martin agreed that long delays in children’s dental care are unacceptable and pledged to find a solution for the boy in Waterford.He acknowledged that while large amounts of funding have been allocated to dental services, the lengthy wait times for children with additional needs remain a serious issue.
As pressure mounts, both special needs services and dental care waitlists are expected to remain key political issues in the coming months.
