Over three times more parents appealed HSE's assessments of children's needs last year

Under the legislation, any parent or guardian of a child born on or after June 1, 2002, who feels their child may have a disability can apply for an assessment of their health and education needs. File photo

The number of challenges to assessments conducted by the HSE of children suspected of having a recognised disability more than trebled last year.

The latest annual report of the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer (ODAO) shows the number of appeals received in 2024 rose by 244%. It revealed that a total of 248 new appeals were submitted last year compared to 72 in 2023.