{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/69243689a1ad6f37cda7c09d?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Government Failure Leaves 966 Children in Meath Waiting for Assessment of Need - Darren O'Rourke TD","description":"<p>Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O'Rourke, has slammed the government for its \"shameful failure\" to address the deepening crisis in Assessments of Need (AON) for children.</p><p><br></p><p>Deputy O'Rourke was responding to figures released to Sinn Féin which reveal that a staggering 18,097 children across the state are waiting on an AON, with the average waiting time now over 27 months - despite a legal 6-month timeframe. In Meath, 966 children are waiting for an AON. At the current rate of processing (approx. 140 per year) it would take almost 7 years to complete the existing backlog.</p><p><br></p><p>Deputy O'Rourke warned that without a change in approach from the government the situation will worsen and more and more families will continue to suffer.</p><p><br></p><p>Deputy O’Rourke joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}