Richard Bruton
Question:232 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the threat to the respite service at Kish autistic services; and if the matter will be investigated. [6541/02]
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
Liz McManus
Question:260 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements being made to secure funding for the Association for the Mentally Handicapped in Kish, Delgany, County Wicklow, beyond Easter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6711/02]
Olivia Mitchell
Question:273 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the crisis facing the facility for autistic children at Kish in Delgany, County Wicklow; the action being taken to prevent the withdrawal of respite services at Kish; and the plans to provide facilities and particularly residential facilities for autism sufferers. [6816/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 260 and 273 together.
Each year my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance, notifies each health board-Eastern Regional Health Authority of its determination for the following year. It is a matter for the individual health board-authority to allocate these funds having regard to the level of service provided by the board-authority. Responsibility for the provision of health related support services, including respite care, for children with autism in the Dublin and Wicklow area is a matter in the first instance for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In 2002, additional funding amounting to €10.79 million was allocated to the authority to further enhance the services for persons with autism and those with an intellectual disability. A total of €953,000 was provided specifically for health related support services for children with autism.
My Department has therefore asked the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputies and to reply directly to them.