{
  "id": 815148,
  "title": "€23m spent on Assessment of Need challenges since 2021",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/23m-spent-on-assessment-of-need-challenges-since-2021",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0814/1587800-assessment-legal-costs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The State has allocated over €23 million on legal expenses related to Assessments of Need (AON) disputes since 2021, according to recent data. The Disability Act 2005 allows parents to challenge the Health Service Executive (HSE) if their child with special needs does not receive an assessment within six months, is dissatisfied with the outcome, or believes the service was inadequate. An AON is a prerequisite for the State to provide necessary support. However, a shortage of specialists and prolonged waiting lists are common issues. This year alone, the State has incurred €5.6 million in legal costs from AON challenges, with €7.2 million spent in 2025. Legal costs have been steadily increasing over the past four years, rising from €870,000 in 2021 to €4 million in 2024. The HSE has admitted difficulty meeting the six-month statutory timeframe and has cited two categories of costs: payments to HSE solicitors and counsel, as well as third-party legal expenses covered by the State Claims Agency (SCA). The HSE reimburses the SCA for these third-party costs at the end of each year. Senator John Brady, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, expressed outrage over the figures, stating that they insult every family waiting for essential supports for their children. He criticized the government for allowing a situation where families are forced to fight the system to protect their children's rights. The escalating costs, despite the State's failure to meet basic obligations, highlight the urgent need for additional staff and resources to expedite assessments and provide timely support.",
  "summary": "The State has spent over €23 million in legal costs arising from Assessments of Need (AON) challenges since 2021, new figures have revealed.",
  "key_points": [
    "€23 million spent on AON legal expenses since 2021",
    "€5.6 million legal costs this year, €7.2 million in 2025",
    "HSE admits difficulty meeting six-month assessment deadline"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}