O’Shea Welcomes Rollout of Single Point of Access for Children’s Health and Disability Services in Cork

Deputy John Paul O’Shea, TD for Cork North West, has welcomed the rollout of a new Single Point of Access (SPoA) referral system for children’s services, describing it as a “positive and long-overdue step” towards improving access to care for families across Cork.

The new model will provide a streamlined referral pathway for children into Primary Care, Disability Services, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), ensuring that young people are directed to the most appropriate service as early as possible.

Welcoming the development, Deputy O’Shea said “Families often face unnecessary stress and delays when trying to access supports for their children. The introduction of a Single Point of Access is a very welcome reform that should make the system more straightforward, more transparent, and ultimately more responsive to children’s needs.”

Under the new system, referrals will be submitted through a standardised digital process and assessed through a local triage system, reducing duplication and avoiding situations where children are placed on multiple waiting lists or passed between services.

Deputy O’Shea noted that the reform has the potential to significantly improve early intervention outcomes:

“Early intervention is absolutely critical. Ensuring that children are assessed quickly and directed to the right service – whether that is primary care, disability supports, or CAMHS – can make a real and lasting difference in their development and wellbeing.”

The Deputy also highlighted the importance of proper implementation and resourcing as the system is rolled out.
“While this is a step in the right direction, it must be matched with adequate staffing and resources on the ground. A more efficient referral pathway is important, but it must lead to timely access to actual services.”

The SPoA model is expected to begin rolling out in mid-2026 and will be supported by a national framework, regional implementation groups, and a new digital referral infrastructure designed to streamline processes and improve coordination across services.

Deputy O’Shea concluded by saying “This reform has the potential to remove some of the frustration families experience when navigating the system. I will be monitoring its rollout closely to ensure that children and families in Cork see real, tangible improvements in access to care.”