Disabilities Assessments

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Ceisteanna (844, 899)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

844. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the process for a person currently awaiting assessment of need once they turn 18. [14961/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

899. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether an assessment of need that commences when a person is 17, but has not concluded, can continue once they turn 18. [14960/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 844 and 899 together.

Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that they may have a disability. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.

Any person born on or after June 1st 2002 is eligible to apply for an Assessment of Need under Part 2 of the Disability Act (2005) regardless of their age at the time of application. The application and following process is the same for any eligible applicant, and assessments and reports will continue to progress to completion unless consent is withdrawn by the family or applicant.

I must emphasise that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or mental health services. However, demand for AON has increased significantly in recent years. This reflects both the increase in population and families exploring all options to access services for their child.

This government recognises that delays faced by for families in accessing Assessments of Need are unacceptable, and there has been intensive work by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE to address this.

The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.