Disability Assessment Waiting List Soars Towards 25,000 – Families Left Behind
Ireland’s disability system is in deep crisis, with the number of children awaiting an Assessment of Need (AON) now expected to surpass 25,000—a staggering increase that has sparked national outrage and prompted renewed calls for government intervention.
According to figures highlighted on the front page of The Irish Times (May 20, 2025), thousands of children across the country are stuck in limbo—waiting not only for assessments but also for the essential therapeutic supports they are legally entitled to receive under the Disability Act 2005.
Despite legal obligations, many families are left without clarity, care, or a timeline. In some cases, children are waiting years beyond the statutory deadline of three months. Even when assessments are completed, access to therapies such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support is often delayed or denied due to resource constraints and staff shortages.
Campaigners, including the advocacy platform dontleavethembehind.com, warn that this systemic failure is causing irreversible harm. Children are missing crucial developmental windows and falling behind their peers—with lifelong consequences.
A group of 14 parents and activists recently staged a 50-hour protest outside Leinster House, demanding a full Dáil debate and emergency measures to address the backlog. Among their key demands is a multi-annual funding plan, increased staffing, and the establishment of independent oversight to ensure accountability within the HSE.
The Government’s previous pledge of €10 million in emergency funds has failed to make a dent in the growing queue, prompting questions about the seriousness of the political response.
Parents must lead the solution, not the same agencies that failed to uphold the law in the first place. Any reform of the AON process must be parent-led, transparent, and rights-based—not an internal reshuffling that excludes those most impacted.
Until urgent action is taken, tens of thousands of children will remain on waiting lists that rob them of opportunity and dignity.
📢 To support the campaign or share your experience, visit dontleavethembehind.com or contact info@dontleavethembehind.com