High Court Grants Mother Permission to Challenge Six-Year Wait for HSE Services

A mother has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the six-year delay in accessing essential HSE intervention services for her autistic son. The case highlights growing concerns over lengthy waiting times for early intervention, which experts stress is critical for a child’s development.

The mother applied for an assessment of needs for her son in December 2022, when he was showing developmental delays, including speech and language difficulties. Under the HSE’s own guidelines, the assessment should have been completed by May 2023. However, she did not receive the report until October 2024—17 months beyond the statutory deadline.

The report confirmed that her child meets the criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and experiences significant developmental delays. Despite this, she was informed that services would not commence until 2028, leaving her son without crucial supports during his formative years.

Arguing that this delay could cause serious harm to his health, education, and overall well-being, the mother has taken the case to court, seeking a judicial review to challenge the HSE’s timeline.

At Monday’s hearing, the High Court granted permission for the case to proceed. The matter has been adjourned until April, with legal representatives describing the six-year wait for services as ‘extraordinary’.