'Shocking' waiting times for HSE therapy services revealed by Mayo study
Sensational Kids, which operates a centre in Claremorris and is an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to providing therapeutic services to children with additional needs, has today released alarming results from its recent survey.
The survey, completed by 236 current and waiting list clients of Sensational Kids, exposes the growing crisis in the provision of essential Health Service Executive (HSE) services across Ireland.
The survey revealed that 87.3% of respondents are currently on a waiting list for HSE services, with families reporting delays of two years or more for critical supports such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychological services.
Key Findings from Sensational Kids’ HSE Therapy Waiting List Survey 2024:
* 73.73% of respondents are waiting for occupational therapy, 50.85% for speech and language therapy, and 49.15% for psychology services, for their child.
* Almost 30% of families reported waiting for more than two years, with 13% waiting more than three years.
* Regional disparities were noted, with some families in Kildare, Cork, Mayo, and Monaghan reporting particularly lengthy waits. In some areas, families have been waiting up to six years for a diagnosis.
Today, one in four children in Ireland has a special educational need, amounting to over 420,000 children who require additional support to realise their potential.
These children include those who are autistic, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or have Down syndrome, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or developmental delays.
Early identification and support are crucial in helping these children thrive.
“The findings from this survey are deeply shocking,” said Karen Leigh, CEO and Founder of Sensational Kids.
“The long delays in accessing essential therapy services are leaving children and families in distress.
"Timely intervention is crucial, and for so many families, it’s just not happening. This is a failure of our public health system.
"Therapy should not be a luxury reserved for those who can afford to go private; it is a basic human right.”
The huge need for therapy is why Sensational Kids is developing the new National Child Development Centre in Kildare which will cater for 300 children weekly once complete.
However, the organisation announced this week that it has been forced to stop the construction work leaving a half-built site in Kildare town. The organisation is calling on the Government, specifically the Department of Justice which manages funding by the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), to release promised funds as a matter of urgency.