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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 2

Written Answers. - Autism Services.

Ivan Yates

Question:

21 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will publish the task force report on autism. [28232/01]

The report of the task force on autism has been received in my Department in recent days. The report, which extends to more than 500 pages, deals with a wide range of complex issues and will now require careful consideration in my Department. It is my intention that the report will be made publicly available as soon as possible. With this in mind, arrangements are now being made to have copies of the report printed so that they can be made available to interested parties. Arrangements are also being made to place the report on my Department's web site. During its deliberations, the task force held in excess of 20 meetings and considered more than 100 submissions from interested parties. The members of the task force also received detailed presentations from experts on autism from the US and Northern Ireland.

I take this opportunity to express my thanks to the chairperson and members of the task force for the commitment they have shown in addressing what is undoubtedly a very complex area. I am confident the work carried out by the task force will be of great value to the future development of services for children with autism.

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