Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Autism Services.

David Stanton

Question:

531 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of extra money that he has made available to purchase and cover the running costs of the Middletown Centre for Autism in County Armagh in 2003; the projected running costs in a full year; the total acreage of the site; the accommodation capacity of the building or buildings that will form the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2101/03]

David Stanton

Question:

532 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science when the proposal for the purchase of the Middletown Centre for Autism was first considered by his Department; when the final decision to purchase the centre was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2102/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 532 together.

It is intended that the facility in question will be purchased and operated on a joint North-South basis to serve the needs of persons with autism in both jurisdictions. The costs involved will be shared on a 50-50 basis. The purchase cost involved is £3 million sterling. Precise details of the annual operating costs will not be available until final decisions have been taken on the required level of specialist inputs involved in the various elements of the centre's activities. However, current estimates suggest an overall annual operating cost of approximately £2 million sterling. The Middletown campus involves an area of 20 acres and includes extensive educational facilities and residential accommodation.

Proposals for the centre envisage: a diagnostic support and educational assessment service for children and young people referred to the centre with a suspected or confirmed autistic spectrum disorder; a training and advisory service for parents, teachers and other professionals; an individual learning centre; an autism research, dissemination and information service; and residential accommodation with care staff.

Following a number of informal contacts, the proposed acquisition of the Middletown facility was formally considered by my Department in early 2001 when a decision in principle was taken to purchase the facility as a centre to support services for children with autism North and South. Because the legal formalities in relation to the contract of sale for the property have not yet been concluded, it would not be appropriate for me to make further comment on the terms of purchase. This information will be made available when the formalities have been completed.