Galway Assessments of Need backlog doubles as TD accuses Government of failing vulnerable children
The number of overdue Assessments of Need (AONs) has more than doubled in Galway, with families now facing average waiting times of almost 24 months as the Government promises improvements to the system.
Figures released through Parliamentary Questions in July show a significant increase in overdue AONs for children with disabilities in County Galway.
Within the HSE West and North West region, 1,599 Assessments of Need remained incomplete at the end of March 2026. Galway accounted for more than a third of that figure, with 568 outstanding cases, compared with Donegal, Mayo, Sligo/Leitrim and Roscommon.
Of the Galway cases, 85pc had been overdue for more than three months.
Assessment of Need reports and service statements completed, Q1 2026 from July Parliamentary Question
Assessment of Need reports overdue for completion, Q1 2026 from July Parliamentary Question
The figures also show that just four AONs were completed in Galway during the first three months of 2026 and no service statements were issued. Service statements outline the healthcare and education services a child can access based on the needs identified in the AON report.
In the first three months of 2025, Galway had 217 outstanding AONs - less than half the 568 recorded a year later.
Under the Disability Act 2005, the HSE has six months from the date of application to complete an Assessment of Need.
According to the HSE, the current national average time to complete an AON is almost 24 months.
In an effort to improve efficiency, operational and legislative changes have been introduced. However, the statutory timeline under the Act will remain unchanged.
Galway East TD Louis O’Hara said that these figures show a Government “failing some of the most vulnerable children in Galway,” adding that the system under the Government is “not functioning.”
“The Disability Act was intended to provide more than an assessment. It was intended to provide a pathway to support, accountability and services. A service statement is not simply an administrative add-on.”
“The Government cannot continue to defend a system where assessments are delayed, service statements are issued at an unacceptably low rate, and vulnerable children are left waiting for the support they need,” he said.
Children, Disability and Equality Minister Norma Foley. © Collins
Responding to the Parliamentary Question data, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said that the “delivery of an effective, efficient Assessment of Need system is a priority for the Government.”
Growing demand and population increases have contributed to a rise in AON applications nationwide, with more than 21,000 applications overdue at the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The introduction of a single point of access system for referrals, the implementation of a standardised autism assessment pathway and the integration of 11 new HSE teams are among the measures expected to help address delays in the system.
“It is intended that these improvements to the AON process will result in a noticeable reduction in waiting times for children and their families across the country,” Minister Foley said.
In a comment to the Irish Independent the HSE said: “Please note that an Assessment of Need (AoN) is not required to access health services. Children and adults can access health services based on clinical need and do not require a completed AoN to receive care.”
“Applications for Assessment of Need in Co Galway area increased by almost 50% in 2025 resulting in increased delays for AONs. As a result, there was an increase in outstanding AON’s in Q1 2026. In addition, staffing vacancies further contributed to the delay.”
“All of these children are not necessarily waiting for assessment, the assessment may have been completed or may be underway but the final Assessment of Need report has not yet been written up. As such they will appear on the Management Report as “overdue for completion”.
An 100pc increase in staffing is expected for the department by September 1.
This article was amended on August 17 to include a comment from the HSE.