Tipperary TD Alan Kelly is slamming the Government for presiding over what he calls” an illegal and deeply damaging backlog in assessments of need” for children with disabilities, after it was revealed that over 15,000 children are now waiting longer than six months for an assessment — with that number expected to grow to 25,000 by the end of this year. 241 children are waiting for assessment of needs in county Tipperary 90 in South Tipperary and 151 in North Tipperary.
Labour is calling on the Minister for Children and the Minister for Health to immediately explain how they intend to halt what he calls a “spiralling crisis and uphold the rights of children”.
Deputy Kelly says Campaigner Cara Darmody, who begins a 50-hour protest outside Leinster House has shown enormous courage in demanding that the Government stop breaking the law. Disability Advocates are concerned that the government may change the 6 month limit for an assessment to be provided in response to the fact that only 7% of assessments are being delivered within the legal time limit.
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