asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortfall of £35,000 by the Eastern Health Board to Dunfirth autistic community which will curtail the services available to the children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dunfirth Autistic Community.
223.
The Eastern Health Board have approved a grant of £120,000 to the Irish Society for Autistic Children towards the provision of services at Dunfirth Autistic Community in 1987, an increase of 50 per cent on its 1986 grant. This increase had regard to the opening of an additional five residential places at Dunfirth in November 1986. The society, as a voluntary body, also obtains part of its funds from voluntary fund raising. The society determines the level of services to be provided at Dunfirth. I have asked the Eastern Health Board to monitor the situation at Dunfirth to ensure that there is no undue hardship caused to the children or their parents by any proposed curtailment by the society of services at Dunfirth.