One in three children who apply for a disability assessment do not receive it within six months, despite legislation obliging the Government to do so, according to the Fine Gael Spokesperson on Disability Affairs David Stanton.
Under the Disability Act 2005, assessments of need for children under five must be completed within six months of the Department receiving the application.
However in response to a parliamentary question tabled by Mr Stanton, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said only 548 out of 804 applications were completed within six months.
"These figures mean that, at the very minimum, at least one in three children failed to have an assessment completed on time," said Mr Stanton.
"This shows that the Government is seriously neglecting its commitments to young children with disabilities and there are real fears that, with cutbacks on the way, the situation will actually get worse."
Mr Stanton said it was of particular concern that the assessment of need was just the first part of the process for children with disabilities and gives information on the nature of the disability and what types of services and supports are required.
Once assessments are completed, service statements outlining the type of help children with disabilities are to be given are issued to parents.
"The Department of Health and Children issued just 325 service statements in the first year. This is particularly worrying given the importance that international best practice and expert opinion lays on early intervention for young children with disabilities and also the severe cutbacks in HSE funding for voluntary disability service providers."