Michael Ring
Question:99 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health if the Western Health Board will provide residential care for a person (details supplied) in County Galway as the family are unable to cope any longer. [4831/97]
Written Answers. - Residential Care.
The provision of services to persons with autism in the County Galway area is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board. I understand from the Western Health Board that the board has been working with the Brothers of Charity services to support the person concerned and his family. He is currently attending services on a daily basis.
As the Deputy is aware, additional funding of £12 million has been provided in 1997 for services to persons with a mental handicap and autism. £2 million is being used to meet identified needs in existing services. The remaining £10 million is being used to put in place new services, including additional residential-respite places. Details of the precise services to be put in place in each health board region and the individuals who will benefit from these services will be agreed by the regional mental handicap co-ordinating committees in line with the priority needs which have been identified for each region. Details of the funding which is to be made available to each health board region for new services in 1997 will shortly be notified to the boards.