David Stanton
Question:117 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to meet the needs of those with autism with special reference to the needs of children. [24484/00]
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
While specific additional support services for persons with autism have been developed in recent years, this population group has also benefited from the overall significant enhancement of services to persons with an intellectual disability.
In particular, additional funding amounting to approximately £5 million has been invested between 1998 and this year in the enhancement of health related support services for children with autism. This includes early intervention and pre-school and out reach services for school children. These services are provided by multi-disciplinary support teams, which work closely with the parents and families of children with autism and the teaching staff to address their needs. My Department, together with the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, will continue to work with the Department of Education and Science to further enhance the services available to these children.
There is also a need, as part of the overall planning for and development of services, to continue to enhance the information available to my Department, the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in relation to both the numbers of persons with autism and the services they require.
As the discussions in relation to the Estimates for 2001 are still ongoing, I am not yet in a position to comment on any particular element of the budget for the health services next year. However, I reiterate that this Government is committed to the further development of a broad range of support services, including, in addition to those already mentioned, residential, respite, day and in-home supports for children and adults with autism.