Frances Fitzgerald
Question:344 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding available for the residential care of people suffering from autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21382/99]
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
While new additional services specifically for persons with autism have been and will continue to be developed, many persons with autism are in receipt of services within the intellectual disability services. These people have benefited generally from the development of new residential, respite and day services which have been substantially enhanced in recent years and which will continue to be developed over the coming years. In 1999, for example, additional funding amounting to £2.5 million was allocated for the further enhancement of health related support services, including early intervention services.
Additional revenue funding of £12 million in 1999, which includes the £2.5 million mentioned above, with a full year cost of £18 million in 2000, was provided for services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. This funding is in addition to the £6 million already allocated to the services in 1999 to meet identified needs in existing services. This brings the total additional revenue funding provided in 1999 for the services to £18 million, with a full year cost of £24 million in 2000.
Planning for the development of further specialist facilities as outlined in my Department's policy document on autism, published in 1994, has been and will continue to be included by the health boards in their overall consideration of the needs of persons with an intellectual disability and autism in their regions.
I have asked the health boards for information in relation to expenditure on residential services specifically for persons with autism and I will forward this information to the Deputy.