Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
858. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the county and city councils have autistic planning teams to assist adults with Autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/13]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Health has responsibility for health issues including autism services, and if he considers that provision of autistic planning teams in County and City Councils would be of assistance in the discharge of his responsibilities, it is open to him to engage with the local government service in the matter. In accordance with paragraph 2.5.1 of the Government’s Action Programme for Effective Local Government, if such services were to be provided by local authorities, the responsibility at national level, including funding, policy and accountability would remain with the Department of Health which would also have to provide assurance, through a robust Service Level Agreement, that adequate funding, staffing and other necessary resources would be made available to enable the function to be performed effectively.
