Vol. 473 No. 3
71 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health if he has received an application for funding for the development of services for persons with autism in the Western Health Board area; if so, if he will give details of the proposed improvements; and when a decision will be made in relation to the application. [25068/96]
I have received correspondence regarding the development of services for persons with autism in the Western Health Board area. The proposals relate to the development of residential and day services at a property purchased by a voluntary agency and the recommissioning of an existing facility in the Galway area.
The question of the development of services for persons with autism in the western region is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board. Issues relating to the planning and co-ordination of services to persons with a mental handicap or autism in the Western Health Board area are dealt with by the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee. The co-ordinating committee is representative of the health board, voluntary service providers and parents and families of persons with a mental handicap. It would be a matter for this committee to consider proposals for new services to be funded from any additional funding which may come on stream in 1997, including the proposals in question. I am not in a position to give the Deputy any indication of the timeframe which might be associated with decisions regarding possible service developments in 1997 as the level of additional funding for 1997 has not yet been clarified.
