New Figures Show High Numbers In Kildare/West Wicklow Waiting For Assessment With Occupational Therapist

Over 11,000 children have been waiting at least a year for their first assessment with an occupational therapist.

According to freedom of information figures, it represents over half of the waiting list.

The area with the highest number of children waiting at least 12 months is CHO 7, which includes Kildare, west Wicklow and parts of south and west Dublin.

According to the HSE's latest figures, just under 21,000 children are waiting for their first assessment with an occupational therapist.

11,023 have been waiting for over a year.

This area has 1,836 kids waiting over a year - followed by Cork and Kerry, at 1,727.

The country's third worst region is CHO 8, which involves the midlands and Louth and Meath - with 1,657 children waiting over a year.