Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
486. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide appropriate school leaver places to the large number of young adults with autism who are leaving school services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5721/16]
View answerThe process of planning for the needs of around 1,500 young people with disabilities and autism who will require continuing health-funded supports on leaving school or rehabilitative (life-skills) training this year commenced in September 2015. To ensure these needs are met, funding of €7.25m is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. A standardised process for the identification of support needs has been put in place and a profiling exercise has now been completed with each individual in order to ascertain their needs and preferences.
It is expected that the funding allocation for each young person based on their individual support needs will be communicated to service providers by the end of May so as to facilitate a September commencement date, and the young people and their families will be informed of the placement which will be available to them.
