Vol. 561 No. 4
347 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of autistic persons in psychiatric hospitals here; his views on whether this situation is acceptable; and his plans to improve their quality of life. [4316/03]
The number of persons with an intellectual disability or autism accommodated in psychiatric hospitals in October 2002 was 452, down from 490 in April 2002. The figure in 1996 was 970.
Between 1999 and 2002 additional revenue funding of €10.476 million and €27.4 million capital was allocated to the programme to provide more appropriate care settings for: persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism accommodated in psychiatric hospitals; those accommodated in de-designated units, which were formerly designated as part of the psychiatric services; and others who moved some years ago from psychiatric hospitals to alternative accommodations which is now unsuitable for their needs.
The information on the number of persons with autism accommodated in psychiatric hospitals is not readily available in my Department. However, my Department has asked the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority for this information and will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
