Dan Neville
Question:166 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of his Department's service to children suffering from autism. [15950/99]
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
As the Deputy will be aware, health services for children with autism are the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. This year I was pleased to be in a position to allocate additional funding of £1.5 million, with a full year cost of £2.5 million in 2000, for the further development of health-related support services for these children. These services will benefit children through early intervention services, pre-school services and outreach services for school children. The multi-disciplinary support teams being established include speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, psychologists and social workers as required.
Planning for the development of further specialist services for both children and adults with autism is being included by the health boards in their overall consideration of the needs in their regions. My Department, in conjunction with the health boards, will also continue to liaise with the Department of Education and Science to provide health-related support services to school children with autism.