O’Brien welcomes funding to clear Assessment of Needs backlog

                                                €1,974,000 allocated to CHO 9
 
Local Fianna Fáil Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the allocation of almost €2 million to CHO 9 which will go towards clearing the backlog for children’s Assessment of Needs and supporting the roll out of Children’s Disability Network Teams.

Nationally €7.8m was announced with €1,974,000 being allocated to CHO 9 which takes in Dublin North, Dublin North Central & Dublin North West.

Minister O’Brien said, “I’m very glad to see this allocation. It was a clear commitment in the Programme for Government that this issue be dealt with as quickly as possible.

“Having highlighted the unacceptable delays in assessments of needs for children in Fingal many times over the years I know this will be a relief to many parents and children.

“The allocation will go towards clinicians working overtime at weekends and evenings, vacant posts being filled, additional staff recruited and private assessments procured.

“No child should have to wait for an assessment of needs, something which is needed so that they can access further care and supports and once these backlogs have been cleared I would expect that the HSE will meet its statutory obligations for all new referrals,” concluded Minister O’Brien.