asked the Minister for Health the number of autistic children in each health authority area; what services are at present available for such children in each of these areas; if services are available in the midland local authority areas; the nature of such service; and if he will make a general statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Autistic Children.
19.
The figures asked for by the Deputy are not available. There is no generally accepted definition of autism in children and while the term is used to describe a particular illness it is also used to cover a number of different mental illnesses of childhood. At present, statistics of the total number of children in this country in need of psychiatric care are not available and, indeed, reliable statistics are not available for any country.
The only residential unit in the country specifically provided for the treatment of mentally ill children, including autistic children, is that at St. Loman's Hospital, Ballyowen, County Dublin. This unit was to an appreciable extent experimental and its work is complemented by a day centre for emotionally disturbed children at St. Kevin's Hospital, Dublin.
I have been very concerned for some time about the need to provide a further unit, or units, similar to that at St. Loman's. Planning of an additional one in Dublin has reached an advanced stage and a further unit will be provided in Cork. The new units will provide services for children from outside the Dublin area.