Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
393. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the financial supports that are available to single parents who are seeking private assessment for autism for their child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48431/26]
View answerFamilies can seek a referral for an autism assessment through a healthcare provider such as their GP, local Primary Care team, a healthcare professional or, for children with complex needs, the local Children’s Disability Network Team. It is acknowledged that there can be long waiting times for families seeking autism assessments within the public system.
In May 2026 the HSE launched The Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol. This protocol forms part of a clinical assessment process used by professionals to support the assessment of a child. Parents and families do not apply for the Protocol.
The Protocol will provide a faster and more specialised route for autism assessment across primary care, mental health and disability services. It will be the preferred assessment route for autism, and it is expected that using the protocol will enable teams to assess more people in a shorter timeframe.
It is intended that these assessments will explain and help people to understand the causes of their difficulties. It will also provide a diagnosis and identify the services and supports required. New teams, known as In-Reach teams, are being established to support existing community teams using the protocol, providing additional resources, and allowing faster assessment.
The Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative was introduced by Government in May 2024 to support the delivery of Assessments of Need to those families who have been waiting longest. Under the Targeted Waitlist Initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers. These providers are reimbursed by the HSE for clinical assessments undertaken as part of the Assessment of Need process. By the end of 2025, over 7,700 clinical assessments had been commissioned from private providers since the Initiative started in June 2024.
Funding of €20 million is being provided this year to continue the Initiative, enabling the delivery of approximately 6,000 clinical assessments with a specific focus on autism assessments. The HSE recently established a new Panel of service providers to deliver these autism diagnostic assessments for children and adolescents under the Initiative. The Panel, which includes 29 providers, became operational in February 2026 and will be in place for one year, with an option to extend for a further year. These autism assessments will inform the Assessment of Need process.
It should be noted that funding is not provided to individuals or families who wish to procure a private clinical assessment themselves.
