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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 3

Written Answers - Autism Services.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

234 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the services available to children suffering from Asperger's syndrome. [19030/99]

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

238 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the condition of autism in children; if he has satisfied himself that enough is being done by the health boards to support the parents of these children; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that some parents are taking on the costly burden of having their children trained outside the country; and the contribution, if any, made to these families. [19038/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 238 together.

The provision of health related support services for children with autism, including Asperger's syndrome, is a matter, in the first instance, for the health boards. I am very aware of the need to further develop the support services which are available to parents of children with autism. I was therefore pleased to be in a position this year to allocate additional funding of £1.5 million, with a full year cost of £2.5 million in 2000, for the further development of these services. This funding has been used to enhance the early intervention, pre-school and outreach services for children of school-going age. This multidisciplinary support includes speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, psychological and social work support.

Planning for the development of further specialist services for children and adults with autism is being included by the health boards in their overall consideration of the needs in their regions.

The provision of educational services for children with special needs, including those with autism, is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, who has expanded the range of services and support provided by his Department for this group. My Department, in conjunction with the health boards, will continue to liaise with the Department of Education and Science to provide health-related support services for school children with autism.

I am aware that, prior to the establishment of specific educational services for children with autism by the Department of Education and Science, and because of the exceptional circumstances pertaining in these cases, a number of health boards made once off ex-gratia payments to assist a small number of families who had placed their children in services abroad. I understand those payments amount to approximately £75,000. I am also aware that ex-gratia payments were made in a number of cases where court proceedings were taken by parents of children with autism. These payments were made in recognition of expenses incurred by the parents. All such payments were made on a confidential basis and I am not therefore in a position to divulge any details relating to them.

The question of the possible placement of children in educational services abroad would be a matter for the Department of Education and Science. I understand this would only arise in exceptional circumstances and that the priority for the Department of Education and Science is the development of services within the State.

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