A Louth TD has urged the Government to establish a cross‑border Assessment of Need (AON) scheme to help reduce lengthy waiting times for children requiring early intervention services.
Raising the issue in the Dáil this week, Deputy Butterly called on the Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to consider a dedicated cross‑border pathway, similar to existing arrangements for dental and surgical treatments. Such a scheme, she said, would allow families to access timely assessments when domestic waiting lists become unmanageable.
Deputy Butterly told the Dáil that demand for Assessments of Need has surged in recent years, driven by population growth and an increasing number of families seeking vital supports for their children.
Deputy Butterly joined os on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more abbout this.