Deputy Brady said this represents a shocking breach of children’s rights and shows how little priority the government places on meeting its legal responsibilities.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy Brady said:
“In Q1 of this year, 107 assessments of need were carried out in Wicklow, with only 5 of these completed within the legal timeframe. That is less than 5 percent. In the Kildare and West Wicklow area, 32 assessments were carried out and not a single one was completed on time.
“In Q2 the picture was no better. 97 assessments were carried out in Wicklow and only 8 were completed within the legal timeframe. Again, in Kildare and West Wicklow, 32 assessments were carried out and not one child had their rights upheld.”
Deputy Brady said the failure to meet the basic legal requirement under the Disability Act 2005 is unacceptable.
“The law states these assessments must be carried out within 6 months. Yet here in Wicklow, only 13 out of 268 were completed within that timeframe in the first half of the year, just 4.8 percent. That is absolutely scandalous. This is not only a failure by the government, but also a breach of children’s rights. Families in Wicklow see the reality every day, being left to fight for the supports their children need while the government turns a blind eye.”
Deputy Brady said Sinn Féin has consistently set out a plan to tackle the crisis.
“We have called for emergency action to clear the backlog, proper workforce planning to recruit and retain staff, adequate funding for disability and special needs services, and the provision of appropriate school places for children with additional needs. Instead of acting, the government has ignored these calls. Families in Wicklow and right across the state are paying the price for this neglect”.
“We in Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for these children and their families until the government lives up to its legal and moral responsibilities.”