It's seen a 40% increase in payments for neurodiverse children since 2020.
Laois has seen one of the biggest increases in the number of neurodiverse children on disability payments.
The county has seen a 40% rise from 948 in 2020, to 1,333 in 2024, according to the Irish Times.
Offaly has seen a 28% increase, while Westmeath has seen a rise of 26%.
Concerns are being voiced by Department of Social Protection officials that those who have been on disabilty payments from an early age are less likely to take up full time employment.
The increases is being put down to a rise in diagnoses of neurodiversity issues in children, particularly autism and ADHD.
Ken Kilbride, CEO of ADHD Ireland, says treatment is a long way behind undocumented demand:
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