I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 319 together.
The provision of health related support services to schoolgoing children with autism is the responsibility in the first instance of the health boards. I understand this school, although located in the Eastern Health Board region, provides services to children from within the Midland Health Board region. An official from the Eastern Health Board outreach team has attended the school on a number of occasions to assist in an individual case. At a meeting with representatives of the Midland Health Board on 17 September 1999, the co-ordinator of the Eastern Health Board's services discussed the model of service provision used within that board. It was also agreed that the Midland Health Board would be responsible for the provision of health related support services for the children attending Scoil Mhichil Naofa from their region.
Fifty thousand pounds was allocated to the Midland Health Board in 1999, with a full year cost of £150,000 in 2000, for the further development of health related support services to school going children with autism. The board is in the process of expanding the level of multi-disciplinary support available to children with autism arising from the allocation of this additional funding. The further development of these services in 2000 by the board will be examined in the context of the level of funding which may be made available to it next year.