Jim Higgins
Ceist:281 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to make additional money available for the problem of autism and the care of autistic children and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Care of Autistic Children.
Services for people with autism are provided by the Irish Society for Autism, voluntary mental handicap agencies and the health boards. These services are provided through the allocations made available for the mental handicap and child psychiatric services.
As the Deputy is aware, additional funds have been made available in this year's budget for the development of services for people with mental handicap. This funding will be allocated on a priority basis in line with the recommendations of the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee in each Health Board area. The needs of people with autism will, therefore, be identified where necessary amongst the priority needs within each region.
I am pleased to say that additional services were put in place in 1992 for people with autism. Funding was made available to allow for the transfer of six people with autism from Lota, Cork to full-time residential care in the Brothers of Charity Services, Bawnmore, Limerick. The Cork Association for Autistic Children provided a summer residential scheme for 24 people and weekend respite services for 16 people. The Western Care Association provided respite care for 20 children-adolescents in Foxford and Castlebar, County Mayo.
A major development for persons with autism is planned on a site made available by the Daughters of Charity, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, Dublin 3. This will involve the provision of a workshop for 30 trainees and two houses each providing six residential places. It is expected that construction will commence shortly and that these facilities will be available in 1994.
Improvements in the specialist assessment of autistic children are also being facilitated as a result of the expansion of child psychiatric services.