John Ellis
Ceist:162 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Health the average cost of keeping a profoundly autistic child in residential care; and the average cost of day care in a non-residential institution. [18465/96]
Written Answers. - Residential Care for Autistic Child.
Limerick East): The Deputy will be aware that the annual cost of maintaining a child with autism or a child with special needs in residential and-or day care services varies considerably depending on the needs of the individual child. The cost in relation to residential care is dependent on many factors, including the level of disability, whether the child is in five day or seven day care, the type of care setting required, i.e., a group home in the community or a more secure setting on a residential campus. Costs for residential care could range between £15,000 and £40,000 per annum, depending on the individual needs of the child.
As in the case of residential care, costs associated with health funded day services for children with autism or a mental handicap, such as child education and development centres, could also range from around £5,000 to £15,000 in exceptional cases where a child has a very severe level of disability. While the health services provide support services to children with autism or a mental handicap attending special schools or classes, the costs associated with the school or class are met by the Department of Education.
Given that many levels of disabilities and other factors, such as disturbed behaviour, which can affect these children, it is difficult to be more specific in relation to this group as a whole.