Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 2

Written Answers. - Autism Services.

Nora Owen

Question:

109 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to improve care for children and adults suffering from autism; the research, if any, which is being undertaken under the auspices of his Department into this condition. [15885/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The majority of persons with autism avail of the generic mental handicap services which have been substantially enhanced in recent years.

Specialist services, which are required by a minority of persons with autism, are also being developed. New services have recently been developed in the Eastern, North-Eastern, Southern and Western Health Boards. Planning for the development of further specialist facilities as outlined in my Department's Policy Document on Services to Persons with Autism, which was published in 1994, is being included by the health boards in their overall consideration of the needs of persons with a mental handicap and autism in their regions. The Irish Society for Autism, at the request of my Department, is also organising a number of training and information workshops for clinicians and staff working with persons with autism.

In relation to research in the area of autism, my Department has made funding available to the Irish Society for Autism for research into the mortality rate and causes of mortality in persons with autism.

It is the policy of the Government to continue the development of services to persons with autism.