Vol. 493 No. 3
290 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will support an application for funding by the parents of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who has autism in order to send him to a school in Boston. [16089/98]
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. The provision of primary and secondary level education for persons with autism is the responsibility of the Minister for Education and Science. Statutory responsibility for the provision of health services to persons with autism is vested in the eight regional health boards. My Department published a policy document in 1994, "Services for Persons with Autism" and the health boards have incorporated the development of services to persons with autism into their regional plans in line with this policy document. The Department of Education and Science is currently in the process of establishing a number of special classes for children with autism in the Eastern Health Board area and in a number of other locations around the country. The health boards, in conjunction with my Department, are working to provide health related support services to the educational services provided for children with autism by the Department of Education and Science. It is hoped that the child in question will be accommodated in this context.
