Vol. 560 No. 1
719 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the consultancy report into the Gheel Autism Services carried out in early 2002; the progress made in this regard; the position of the consultancy report now; if and when recommendations will be implemented; the cost implication of its implementation; the future developments in services planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1865/03]
A review of the services and current staffing levels of the Gheel Training Group Limited was commissioned by the ERHA and my Department and carried out by an independent consultant during the period January-March 2002. The purpose of the review was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the services provided by Gheel and the appropriateness of the staffing levels within the service in comparison with international best practice.
The report puts forward a range of recommendations covering areas such as staffing levels, the board of directors, management structures and systems, service standards and users, families and primary care givers and training development.
At present Gheel services are provided in the East Coast and Northern Area Health Board regions. The East Coast Area Health Board currently takes a lead role in relation to the services provided by Gheel as all funding for this service is channelled through their board. The area boards concerned have accepted the recommendations of the report.
