Mattie McGrath: Calls for Emergency Action on Autism Backlog
Mattie McGrath argued that the HSE has been allowed to breach the Disability Act 2005, leaving children waiting years for assessments and missing vital windows for intervention. He urged the Government to establish an emergency fund, set timelines for compliance, and invest in staff recruitment and training to clear the backlog.
Legal obligations and alleged breaches
Mattie McGrath highlighted the Disability Act 2005 requirement that children should receive an assessment of needs within six months of application and said this is not happening. He described the delays as more than administrative — calling them a denial of rights, equal opportunity and childhood for many children.
Autism assessment backlog and statistics
He pointed to specific figures: as of March there were 233 children and young people awaiting an autism assessment, and the wait time for a new referral is currently 48 months, or four years. McGrath warned that families miss crucial windows for intervention while children wait.
Government spending on legal action
McGrath criticised the Government for spending 8 million on legal proceedings against parents seeking assessments for their children, calling it a misallocation of resources that could instead fund assessments and supports.
Calls for emergency funding and systemic reform
He urged the Government to adopt the measures proposed in the giant opposition motion — establish an emergency fund to clear the backlog, set a definite timeline for compliance with the Disability Act, and invest in sustainable solutions including recruitment and training of additional staff. He said urgent reform, accountability and a focus on children rather than bureaucracy are required.
Personal accounts and campaigning
McGrath commended campaigners including Carol Damley, her parents, and a young girl from Art Finneran who has slept outside her house after unmet commitments. He said promises mean nothing without delivery and reiterated that these supports are rights enshrined in the Constitution.
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Let's dive into the discussions shaping the nation. And the HSE are being allowed to breach the law for years with no repercussions. Under Disability Act 2005, children are supposed to receive an assessment of needs within six months of application. Yet we know it's not happening. Families are waiting years, during which time children miss vital windows for intervention, development and care. This is not just a delay. It's a denial of rights, a denial of equal opportunity and a denial of childhood in many cases. Parents are exhausted. They're forced to become full-time advocates, legal experts and indeed campaigners just to get their children what they are entitled to, what's owing to them. In temporary situations particularly dire, as of March this year, there were 233 children and young people currently awaiting an autism assessment. While the wait time for assessments for a new referral is currently 48 months. That is four years. It's shocking. Adding to this stress, the Government has spent 8 million on legal proceedings against the parents seeking assessment for their children. This is a misallocation of resources that could have been better spent on providing the necessary assessments and supports. We've had report after report, commitment after commitment, and yet the situation continues to deteriorate. I commend Carol Damley, indeed her father and mother, a young girl from Art Finneran, just beside me, in Tipperary, who has spoken with so many and has started to sleep outside her house. She was given commitments, as were countless other families, but promises mean nothing without delivery. It is time for the Government to act decisively. Establish an emergency fund, as proposed in the giant opposition motion, to clear the existing backlog. Set a definite timeline for compliance with legal obligations under the Disability Act. Invest in sustainable solutions, including the recruitment and training of additional staff to meet current and future needs. Indeed, we owe it to these children and their families to uphold their rights and provide the support they need. These rights are enshrined in the Constitution, I point out. We need urgent reform. We need accountability. And above all, we need to put our children and non-bureaucracy at the center of this system. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy. Like, share, and subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. We'd love to hear from you.
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