Significant additional funding has been made available in recent years to expand the level of support services available to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism. Further additional revenue funding amounting to €25 million was provided in 2002 for the development of new services, with €1.964 million allocated to the North-Eastern Health Board. This funding is now part of the ongoing base funding for the services, including agencies such as that mentioned by the Deputy.
The additional funding provided in recent years has been targeted at the enhancement of the level of residential, respite and day supports available to this population group. Decisions in relation to the precise details of the services to be provided from any additional funding, including which service provider should be responsible for their delivery and the individuals who will benefit from those services, are a matter for the relevant health board in agreement with the regional consultative and development committees.
I cannot at this stage give specific commitments on levels of expenditure in 2003 for any service area as these matters are part of the ongoing discussions on the Estimates and budget for that year between my Department and the Department of Finance. I assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to the ongoing development of services to persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism as outlined in the programme for Government.