Limerick East): These twin boys currently attend a Child Education and Development Centre in Cork run by the Brothers of Charity services, who provide specialist services for children and adults with autism in the Cork area.
In view of the significant and continuing improvements in the level and range of services available here, the Deputy will appreciate it is only in exceptional cases that the need arises for individuals to be placed in services outside this country.
Before a formal application is made to my Department regarding the provision of services for persons abroad, the health board in question must be satisfied that the individual concerned requires a level of service or treatment which is not available to them in this country and that the person concerned is likely to benefit from the treatment. In this instance, the Southern Health Board has sought my Department's advice.