Over 4,000 children waiting for Therapy Assessments in the west

More than 4,000 children across the west of Ireland are currently waiting for an initial primary care assessment for physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, or occupational therapy, according to figures supplied by the HSE.

The data shows 542 children are waiting for initial contact with Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in the HSE West and North West region at the end of October 2025.

Under the National Policy on Access to Services for Children and Young People with Disability and Developmental Delay, children are directed to services based on the complexity of their needs.

Children with non-complex functional difficulties are referred through Primary Care Children’s Services within Community Healthcare Networks. These services provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy (SLT). 

Children with more complex functional difficulties are referred to CDNTs, which provide multidisciplinary disability services. The HSE says the CDNT model is family-centred and focused on empowering parents and carers to support children’s developmental needs.

At the end of October 2025, there were 542 children waiting for initial contact with CDNTs in the West. Of those waiting, 225 children had been on the list for between zero and three months. However, 151 children had been waiting for more than 12 months to receive initial contact.

According to the latest available figures, there are 4,034 children waiting for an initial assessment across Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Sligo. The data shows that 405 children in Mayo, Roscommon and Galway have been waiting for over two years for an initial assessment.

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In Mayo, occupational therapy is the busiest service, with 517 children currently on the waiting list, with 42 children waiting over two years. There are also 158 children waiting for physiotherapy assessments in the county, while just three children are currently awaiting speech and language therapy assessments.

In a statement issued alongside the figures, the HSE said CDNTs are currently providing services and supports for 44,456 children nationwide. 

The HSE added that strategies and supports are also being provided for an average of 1,110 children with urgent needs who are currently on waiting lists, where staffing resources allow. 

The figures highlight ongoing pressures on children’s disability and primary care services across the west, with hundreds of families facing long waits for assessment and support.