Accessing Health, Disability and Support Services in Ireland


Understanding your entitlements and navigating the system

Finding appropriate health, disability and educational support for someone living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can be extremely challenging. Families frequently find themselves navigating different services, repeating assessments and explaining FASD to professionals who may have limited experience of the condition. For adults living with FASD, the difficulties can be even greater, particularly when transitioning from children's services to adult provision.


Ireland does not currently have a dedicated whole-of-government national strategy for FASD or a nationally implemented model of care covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and lifelong support. The HSE published its Position Paper on the Prevention of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in September 2022, identifying 14 actions, including advocating for a national strategy and developing a model of care. However, the existence of this position paper should not be confused with the implementation of a comprehensive national FASD service.


Although there are policies and services supporting people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, access is not automatic following an FASD diagnosis. Eligibility is generally determined by an individual's assessed needs, clinical presentation and the criteria of the particular service. This guide explains some of the services that may be relevant to children, young people and adults living with FASD, how to access them and what families should know when seeking support.


Important Information - Services and Eligibility

Health, disability and support services in Ireland are subject to eligibility criteria, clinical assessment and local service availability. Having a diagnosis of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) does not automatically guarantee access to every service described on this page. However, an FASD diagnosis, together with an assessment of an individual's needs, should form an important part of discussions about appropriate support and intervention.


Information about services, eligibility requirements, medication approvals and application procedures can change. We recommend checking the relevant HSE, NCSE or government guidance before making an application or making decisions about treatment or support.


Last reviewed: November 2026. FASD Ireland endeavours to keep this information accurate and up to date, but cannot guarantee that all service arrangements or eligibility requirements remain unchanged. If you are unsure about your circumstances, contact the relevant service or FASD Hub Ireland for guidance.


Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

CAMHS can play an important role in supporting children and young people living with FASD, particularly where there are additional mental health difficulties or significant challenges affecting everyday life.


What can CAMHS offer?

CAMHS is a specialist multidisciplinary service for children and young people under 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties. These may include anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders and other complex mental health presentations. A diagnosis of FASD alone does not automatically qualify a child for CAMHS, but FASD should be considered when assessing their individual needs. Depending on the child's needs and the services available locally, CAMHS may provide:


  • Psychiatric assessment and review: A Consultant Psychiatrist can assess mental health difficulties, consider diagnoses, review treatment and oversee medication where appropriate.
  • Medication management: Where medication is prescribed, regular clinical reviews are important to assess its effectiveness, monitor side effects and consider whether adjustments are needed.
  • Psychological support: Access to psychological therapies and other interventions may help children develop strategies to manage emotional difficulties, anxiety, distress and other challenges.
  • Occupational therapy: Where available and clinically appropriate, an Occupational Therapist can help a child develop strategies for everyday activities, sensory processing, organisation and independence.
  • Family support: Parents and carers may have opportunities to discuss difficulties at home, school and in the wider community, and to work with the team on practical approaches.
  • Liaison with education services: With appropriate consent, CAMHS may work with schools and other professionals to help develop a more consistent understanding of the child's needs.


CAMHS appointments are not necessarily fixed at three-monthly intervals or allocated for an hour. Their frequency, length and format depend on the child's care plan, clinical needs and local service arrangements.


Medication and physical monitoring

Some medications prescribed for associated conditions, including ADHD, require careful monitoring. Depending on the medication, this may include checking height, weight, pulse and blood pressure. For children taking ADHD medication, it is important that the prescribing clinician explains the monitoring arrangements and ensures that appropriate reviews take place.


It is also worth remembering that prescribing is not exclusively the responsibility of a CAMHS Consultant Psychiatrist. GPs and other appropriately qualified prescribers can prescribe medicines within their professional scope and the relevant prescribing arrangements. Some controlled medicines have additional legal and prescription requirements. Families should clarify with their GP and specialist who is responsible for ongoing prescriptions and reviews.


How to access CAMHS

A referral from a GP or another healthcare professional is required. The referral should explain the child's difficulties, how these affect their everyday life and why specialist mental health assessment is needed. Providing the FASD diagnostic report and information about any associated conditions can help professionals understand the full picture.

For further information: HSE - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services


Children's Disability Services and Occupational Therapy


CAMHS is not the only route to support. Children living with FASD may also benefit from HSE children's disability services, depending on their individual needs. These include:


  • Primary care occupational therapy.
  • Psychology.
  • Physiotherapy.
  • Speech and language therapy.
  • Social work.
  • Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) for children with complex health needs related to their disability.


An Assessment of Need (AON) can identify a child's health needs and the services required to address them. Importantly, the HSE confirms that an Assessment of Need is not a prerequisite for accessing children's disability services, and a referral can be made without one.


Occupational Therapy and school support

An Occupational Therapist can help identify practical adjustments and strategies that may make a significant difference to a child's experience at home and in school. These might include sensory accommodations, support with daily living activities, organisational strategies and developing greater independence. An OT report can provide useful evidence about a child's functional needs, but it is not a mandatory requirement for an application for a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).


SNAs are allocated to schools based on the care needs of students across the whole school. The NCSE considers the school's overall requirements, and the school determines how its allocation is deployed to support students with significant care needs. An FASD diagnosis does not automatically guarantee an individual SNA allocation. Parents who have concerns about their child's support should speak with the school, request a meeting and seek advice from their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).

Useful links:

HSE - Children's Disability Services

NCSE - Special Needs Assistant Information


Transitioning from Children's to Adult Disability Services


Turning 18 can be an especially challenging time for young people living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families. In addition to leaving childhood behind, young people may find themselves facing the loss or significant reduction of services and professional relationships that have supported them throughout childhood. The transition from children's disability services to adult services is not always straightforward. Unlike children's services, adult disability provision is generally organised around specific eligibility criteria, assessed needs and available resources. There is no guarantee that a young person will automatically transfer to an equivalent adult service when they reach 18.


What support might be needed during the transition?

Depending on the individual's circumstances, it is important to consider ongoing access to:


  • Occupational Therapy: Support with everyday living skills, sensory processing, organisation, independence and preparing for adult life.
  • Psychological Services: Access to appropriate psychological assessment and interventions to support emotional regulation, mental health and everyday challenges.
  • Adult Mental Health Services: Continued psychiatric assessment, medication management and mental health support where clinically required.
  • Primary Healthcare: A GP who understands the individual's needs and can coordinate referrals, prescriptions and ongoing medical care.
  • Adult Disability Services: Assessment and access to appropriate community-based disability supports, where eligibility criteria are met.
  • Education, Training and Employment Supports: Assistance with further education, vocational training, employment opportunities and developing independent living skills.
  • Social and Community Supports: Opportunities to develop relationships, participate in community activities and reduce isolation.


Planning ahead is essential

Families should not wait until a young person's 18th birthday before discussing the transition. Where a young person is receiving support from a Children's Disability Network Team, CAMHS or other children's services, discussions about future provision should begin well in advance. We recommend requesting a transition meeting involving the young person, their family or chosen supporters, relevant healthcare professionals, social workers and other professionals involved in their care.

Before a young person leaves children's services, families should seek clarity about:


  • Which services will continue after their 18th birthday.
  • Whether referrals to adult services have been made and accepted.
  • Who will take responsibility for ongoing medical reviews and prescriptions.
  • Whether occupational therapy, psychological or other disability supports will remain available.
  • What arrangements are in place if the young person experiences a deterioration in their mental health or additional support needs.
  • Where the young person and their family can turn if expected services are not available.


A diagnosis does not disappear when someone turns 18, and neither do their support needs. FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability. The transition into adulthood should involve continuity of understanding, appropriate planning and access to support that reflects the individual's needs. Unfortunately, many families find that they have to become the coordinators and advocates for services that should work together.


FASD Ireland believes that Ireland needs a clearly defined pathway from children's to adult services, ensuring that people living with FASD are not left without appropriate support simply because they have reached adulthood.


Long-Term Illness Scheme (LTI) - Medication Support


The Long-Term Illness Scheme is an important support for eligible people living with certain long-term medical conditions and disabilities. It provides approved medicines, drugs and medical or surgical appliances without charge, where these relate to the qualifying condition. There is no means test for the scheme. However, it is important to understand that FASD and ADHD are not currently listed as qualifying conditions in their own right.


The HSE's list of qualifying conditions includes:


  • Intellectual disability.
  • Mental illness - for people under 16 years of age.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Cerebral palsy.
  • Hydrocephalus.
  • Spina bifida.
  • Other specified medical conditions.


The full list is available on the HSE website.


Can someone living with FASD qualify?

Potentially, yes, where they also have a separately diagnosed condition that appears on the approved LTI list and meet the relevant requirements. For example, a person living with FASD who also has a diagnosed intellectual disability may be eligible under the intellectual disability category. A child under 16 with an eligible mental illness may also qualify under that category.

However, an ADHD diagnosis alone does not qualify someone for the LTI Scheme, and neither does an FASD diagnosis alone.


Which medications are covered?

The scheme does not provide free access to every medication prescribed to someone who qualifies. Only approved medicines and appliances associated with the qualifying condition are covered. The HSE publishes approved medication lists for each qualifying condition. These lists can change, so it is important to check the current information rather than assume that a particular medication is covered. If a prescribed medicine is not on the relevant approved list, a pharmacist may be able to apply to the HSE for consideration under the scheme. Approval is not automatic.


How to apply

Applications can be completed by the applicant or, in the case of a child, their parent or guardian. The medical section must be completed by a doctor, such as a GP or hospital Consultant. The application requires confirmation of the qualifying diagnosis. Your GP may be able to complete the medical report using information supplied by the specialist who made the diagnosis.

You can download the official application form here:

Download the HSE Long-Term Illness Scheme Application Form


For further information about eligibility and approved medications:

HSE - Long-Term Illness Scheme


Important: Children approaching 16 years of age

The LTI category for mental illness applies only to people under 16. Families relying on this category should contact the HSE before their child's 16th birthday to establish whether another qualifying category applies and what arrangements may be available.

Do not assume that an existing entitlement will automatically continue or that a new application will necessarily be approved.


Where to Get Help with the Long-Term Illness Scheme

If you are unsure whether you or your child qualifies, or need help understanding the application process, FASD Hub Ireland can offer information and signposting.


Contact FASD Hub Ireland

We understand that navigating health and disability services can be exhausting, particularly when you are already managing the everyday challenges of supporting someone living with FASD. If you need help understanding your options, please contact our team: Contact FASD Hub Ireland


HSE Long-Term Illness Scheme - Client Registration Unit

Telephone: 0818 224 478 or 01 864 7100

Email: clientregistration@hse.ie

When contacting the HSE about an existing application, quote your application reference number or Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), as appropriate, to help staff locate the relevant record.


The HSE Position Paper on FASD - September 2022


In September 2022, the Health Service Executive published its Position Paper on the Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This was an important acknowledgement of the need for a coordinated response to FASD in Ireland. The document identified 14 actions covering FASD prevention, public awareness, professional education, healthcare interventions, research, diagnosis and support for children and adults living with FASD.


Importantly, Action 1 committed the HSE to advocating for the development of a whole-of-government national strategy on FASD. The paper also recognised the need to develop an appropriate model of care. While publication of the Position Paper represented an important step, it should not be mistaken for the implementation of a national FASD strategy or a comprehensive national model of care. There remains a need for coordinated action to ensure that people living with FASD and their families can access appropriate assessment, diagnosis, healthcare and lifelong support throughout Ireland.


FASD Ireland believes that these commitments must translate into practical services and measurable improvements in the lives of people living with FASD.


Read the original HSE Position Paper:

Download the HSE Position Paper on the Prevention of FASD - September 2022 (PDF)


You Should Not Have to Navigate This Alone


Living with FASD, or supporting a family member who is living with FASD, can involve navigating a complicated system of health, disability, education and social care services. Unfortunately, families often find themselves having to explain the condition, advocate for appropriate assessments and repeatedly demonstrate why particular supports are needed. A diagnosis should be the beginning of understanding a person's needs, not the end of the conversation about what support is available.


At FASD Ireland, we believe that everyone living with FASD deserves to be recognised, understood and supported throughout their life. We continue to advocate for a nationally coordinated approach to FASD in Ireland, including appropriate diagnostic pathways, clinical guidance, consistent services and meaningful support for children and adults. If you are struggling to access services, need information about available supports or simply want someone to listen, FASD Hub Ireland is here to help.