Matt Carthy.

Local children with special needs denied access to essential services - MEP

Children with special needs in Cavan and Monaghan are being denied access to essential services because of a lack of capacity in the HSE, according to a local MEP.

Matt Carthy made the claims having made representations to Minister for Health Simon Harris, on behalf of young boy from Carrickmacross. The Sinn Féin MEP reports that the boy has been waiting on an Assessment of Need (AON) since of August 2016.

According to Mr Carthy the Minister explained that the delay lies in problems recruiting clinical psychologists. 

This concern was recently flagged at a meeting of the Dublin North East Regional Health Forum.

“The Minister referred me to a response from the HSE which outlined that there is only one clinical psychologist to cover the counties of Cavan and Monaghan and so capacity is limited,' said Mr Carthy. “The letter from the HSE also claims that their efforts to recruit for an additional post has been unsuccessful and assessment and intervention for children with autism is limited.
“It is very clear that due to this lack of capacity in the HSE, children with special needs in Cavan and Monaghan are being denied access to essential services. 

'Unacceptable'

“This is an outrageous and unacceptable situation and exposes as nonsense Government claims to be prioritising investment in assessment and intervention in health services for children with disabilities.

“Sinn Féin has submitted further questions to the Minister for Health on this issue and will be applying maximum political pressure to have this appalling situation resolved.”