Almost 15,000 people with physical or sensory disabilities require assessments for therapeutic services or rehabilitation, new figures show.
A report compiled by the Health Research Board (HRB) shows that 14,380, or just more than half of people registered on its database, require such assessments.
A further 7,553 people required assessments for personal assistance and support services, while 4,029 people who already have day services need an alternative or additional service to meet specific needs.
The detailing of the number of people in need of assessments comes on the eve of the implementation of the Disability Act, which provides for an independent assessment of need for people with a disability up to the age of five years.
Overall, the HRB report shows the vast majority of the 25,692 people registered on the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database (NPSDD) in June last year were receiving some form of service, such as therapeutic intervention or rehabilitation.
More than two-thirds of all registrations were adults and one-third were children.
Most people (77 per cent) registered on the database reported a physical disability, 6 per cent reported hearing loss/deafness as their disability, 5 per cent reported a visual disability, while 2 per cent reported a primary speech and language disability.
Mary-Ann O'Donovan of the HRB and co-author of the report said the database was the only source of information at a national level about specialist services for people with physical or sensory disabilities.
"It highlights the areas where services are needed most.
"This is essential information for health service managers and policy makers," Ms O'Donovan said.
One in 10 people reported a combination of disabilities, highlighting the need for a more co-ordinated approach to service planning.
While the level of service provision was high, overall the report shows significant numbers waiting for services or assessments across a range of areas.
It also showed that 10,542 people (41 per cent) requested at least one technical aid; 5,066 people (20 per cent) required assessments for respite services; 3,137 people (12 per cent) were not availing of day services or activities, but required such supports; 761 people (3 per cent) registered on the database were not in residential care but required this service; and 579 people (2 per cent) who were availing of day services or activities required some changes or additions to their existing services.
• The full report, National Physical and Sensory Disability Database Annual Report 2006, is available at www.hrb.ie