Conor D McGuinness: Government 'breaking the law' on children's assessments
Conor D McGuinness warned that more than 150 children in Waterford and 18,097 nationally are overdue assessments and accused the government of routinely breaking the law on children's rights. He called for urgent recruitment of clinicians and said Budget 2026's 20 million euro will not reduce waiting times without therapists being hired.
More than 150 children in Waterford are still waiting for an assessment of need, with some left waiting for over two years. McGuinness emphasised the law is explicit - children must receive an assessment within six months - and highlighted the national total of 18,097 children overdue an assessment.
He referenced Cara Darmody, just 15 years old, who is undertaking her second 50-hour sleep bout on Kildare Street to shame Finna Gael and Finna Fáil into action. McGuinness said parents are being forced to absorb costs, chase private services or wait indefinitely while families await assessments and services.
McGuinness noted Budget 2026 set aside 20 million euro but warned that without recruiting therapists and clinicians the figures will not translate into shorter waiting times. He accused the government of failing to address the workforce gap and said children are paying the price for that failure.
He outlined wider problems across children's services - long waits for scoliosis procedures, insufficient special school and autism class places, Cams continuing to struggle, rising child homelessness, Tusla described as in "free fall", and child poverty targets missed year on year. He criticised Fianna Fáil's response as changing the targets rather than fixing the underlying issues.
McGuinness urged ministers to expedite recruitment of clinicians, to stop failing children and to stop breaking the law, repeating that the government must listen to Cara Darmody and take meaningful action to end the delays.
Legal breach and waiting lists
More than 150 children in Waterford are still waiting for an assessment of need, with some left waiting for over two years. McGuinness emphasised the law is explicit - children must receive an assessment within six months - and highlighted the national total of 18,097 children overdue an assessment.
Campaign and public pressure
He referenced Cara Darmody, just 15 years old, who is undertaking her second 50-hour sleep bout on Kildare Street to shame Finna Gael and Finna Fáil into action. McGuinness said parents are being forced to absorb costs, chase private services or wait indefinitely while families await assessments and services.
Budget allocation and workforce gap
McGuinness noted Budget 2026 set aside 20 million euro but warned that without recruiting therapists and clinicians the figures will not translate into shorter waiting times. He accused the government of failing to address the workforce gap and said children are paying the price for that failure.
Broader children's services failings
He outlined wider problems across children's services - long waits for scoliosis procedures, insufficient special school and autism class places, Cams continuing to struggle, rising child homelessness, Tusla described as in "free fall", and child poverty targets missed year on year. He criticised Fianna Fáil's response as changing the targets rather than fixing the underlying issues.
Call to enforce the law
McGuinness urged ministers to expedite recruitment of clinicians, to stop failing children and to stop breaking the law, repeating that the government must listen to Cara Darmody and take meaningful action to end the delays.
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Transcript
More than 150 children in Waterford are still waiting for an assessment of need and some have been left waiting for over two years. Minister, you don't need me to tell you that's illegal. The law is explicit. Children must receive an assessment within six months. This government is routinely breaking the law and is breaking the law when it comes to children's rights. Across the state, 18,097 children are overdue an assessment. Cara Darmody, just 15 years old, is undertaking her second 50-hour sleep bout on Kildare Street to shame Finna Gael and Finna Fáil into action. Because that's what it takes. Government must do all it can to expedite recruitment of clinicians to bring this failure to an end. So I'm going to tell you, it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law. The law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law. But the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and it's time for the law and all. The pattern here is unmistakable as well, Minister. Parents are expected to absorb costs. Chase private services or simply wait indefinitely. Budget 2026 set aside 20 million euro. Again, thanks to Cara Darmody and her efforts to shame government into action. But without recruiting the therapists, without taking any meaningful action to fill that gap, the figures will not translate into shorter waiting times for any family. The government has not addressed the workforce gap and children are paying the price. The failure in this aspect of children's services extends across children's services. Young people are living with pain for years as they wait for scoliosis procedures. Special school and autism class places remain insufficient despite repeated warnings. Cams continues to struggle, child homelessness is rising, Tusla is in free fall minister, child poverty targets have been missed year on year, and Fianna Fáil's solution to that is to change the targets. The government must stop failing children, it must stop failing families. Listen to Cara Darmadi, do the right thing, stop failing children and stop breaking the law. Thanks Geoff.