Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness, has described new figures on Assessment of Need waiting lists as “deeply alarming”, revealing that 226 children in Waterford remain waiting beyond the statutory timeframe.

The figures, released in response to Parliamentary Questions submitted by Deputy McGuinness, also show that just 100 Assessments of Need were completed in Waterford during the first six months of 2026. He said the figures show the system is falling further behind, leaving children waiting longer for assessments that are essential to identifying their needs and accessing appropriate supports and interventions.

Deputy McGuinness said:

“Every one of the 226 children waiting beyond the statutory deadline has already been failed by the system. Their families have waited far longer than the law allows, while vital time for assessment and early intervention has been lost.”

“The figures also expose the scale of the challenge. Just 100 Assessments of Need were completed in Waterford during the first half of this year. Even if no further applications were received, it would take more than a year to clear the existing backlog. In reality, more children will continue to be referred, meaning waiting lists will continue to grow unless additional capacity is urgently put in place.

“The average waiting time across the State is now 24.3 months. While there is regional and local variance in average waiting times, I am concerned that some children in Waterford may be waiting two years for an assessment.

“Government repeatedly says this is a priority, but the evidence tells a very different story. Instead of putting the resources in place to comply with the law, the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-Independent coalition wants to change that law. Their solution is to shift the goalposts, and to weaken the legal protections that exist for children.

“The Disability Act exists for a reason. Timely assessments give children the best opportunity to access the therapies, interventions and supports they need at the earliest possible stage. Delays have real consequences for children and for their families.

“Government needs to stop ‘managing’ this crisis and instead start resolving it. That means providing the emergency resources needed to clear the backlog, delivering a properly funded workforce plan to recruit and retain assessment staff, and setting out a clear timetable for restoring compliance with the Disability Act. Families in Waterford have waited long enough.”