Tipperary TD accuses Government of breaking the law on assessment of needs
Disability network services are almost non -existant in Clonmel, claims Deputy Healy
Tipperary TD Seamus Healy has accused the Government of breaking the law concerning children with disabilities waiting for assessment.
Deputy Healy, who commended the work of disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody, said it was a disgrace that the Government is breaking the law every single day, knowingly and deliberately.
"When the Ministers accepted their seals of office, they promised to uphold the Constitution and laws of this State; however, they are not doing that. Every child with a disability is entitled to an assessment of need within six months of referral. A reply to a parliamentary question I tabled shows that, on 30 September, 18,097 children were waiting for an assessment. That figure will be over 22,000 by the end of the year. The Government is breaking the law and is well aware of the fact.
I raised this issue as far back as January 2017, almost nine years ago, with the then Minister for Health and current Tánaiste. Successive Governments have simply done nothing to make circumstances better. In fact, they have disimproved considerably since. If the Government is not going to uphold the law, it should resign.
A related scandal is the decimation of the children's disability network services. The object of the interdisciplinary teams is to support child development and well-being and participation in family and community life on the basis of an individual family support plan. All these services are essential. However, for children in south Tipperary, this is pie in the sky.
The team based in Clonmel is almost non-existent. There is no occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist or dietitian. Children are being failed not only on assessment of need but also in these disability network teams. It is time for this Government to either uphold the law or to go, " said Deputy Healy