Vol. 549 No. 1
166 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding available under the national development plan for the development and care of children suffering from autism; the method or system in place for support groups or families to draw down such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6011/02]
Since the commencement of the national development plan in 2000, capital funding amounting to €108 million has been allocated to support developments in services for persons with autism and those with an intellectual disability. Indicative funding amounting to €22 million at 2000 prices will be available over the remaining years, 2003 to 2006, for these services. It is not possible at this point to isolate a specific amount which might be available for services to persons with autism. As is the case at present, the funding will be allocated by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in line with the priorities for service development which are identified by the regional intellectual disability consultative and development committees for their regions and in line with any guidelines which my Department may issue. Decisions relating to the enhancement of existing services or the development of new services are agreed by the relevant health board, using the regional planning and consultative processes mentioned above.
