"Waterford children waiting beyond legal assessment deadline" - McGuinness

New figures released in response to Parliamentary Questions submitted by Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Deputy Conor D. McGuinness, show that 226 children in Waterford are currently waiting beyond the statutory timeframe for an Assessment of Need. 

The figures also reveal that 100 Assessments of Need were completed in Waterford during the first six months of 2026. Deputy McGuinness said the figures highlight the growing pressure on disability services and raise concerns about the length of time children and families are waiting to access assessments and supports. 

 “Every one of the 226 children waiting beyond the statutory deadline has already been failed by the system," he said.

"Their families have waited far longer than the law allows, while vital time for assessment and early intervention has been lost," he added. 

 The Waterford TD said the number of assessments being completed is not keeping pace with demand.

He also warned that waiting lists could continue to increase without additional resources. 

“The figures also expose the scale of the challenge," he said.

"Just 100 Assessments of Need were completed in Waterford during the first half of this year," he added.

Deputy mcGuinness went on to comment that even if no further applications were received, it would take more than a year to clear the existing backlog. 

"In reality, more children will continue to be referred, meaning waiting lists will continue to grow unless additional capacity is urgently put in place," he said.

Deputy McGuinness also pointed to national data showing prolonged waiting times for assessments. 

“The average waiting time across the State is now 24.3 months," he said.

"While there is regional and local variance in average waiting times, I am concerned that some children in Waterford may be waiting two years for an assessment," he added.

The Sinn Féin TD then accused the Government of failing to adequately address the ongoing backlog and criticised proposals to amend existing legislation. 

“Government repeatedly says this is a priority, but the evidence tells a very different story," he said.

"Instead of putting the resources in place to comply with the law, the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-Independent coalition wants to change that law," he added.

He said the Government's solution is to "shift the goalposts" and "to weaken the legal protections that exist for children".

Deputy McGuinness said timely assessments are crucial in ensuring children can access supports and interventions as early as possible. 

“The Disability Act exists for a reason," he said.

"Timely assessments give children the best opportunity to access the therapies, interventions and supports they need at the earliest possible stage," he added.

"Delays have real consequences for children and for their families."

Calling for urgent action, he said the Government must focus on reducing waiting lists and restoring compliance with legal timeframes. 

“Government needs to stop ‘managing’ this crisis and instead start resolving it," he said.

"That means providing the emergency resources needed to clear the backlog, delivering a properly funded workforce plan to recruit and retain assessment staff, and setting out a clear timetable for restoring compliance with the Disability Act," he added.

"Families in Waterford have waited long enough.”