Vol. 518 No. 3
165 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the information he has on the incidence and trends of autism here; the use of the services of his Department by persons with autism; and the estimated increase in the services which will be required by his Department to meet the growing needs in the next five years. [11565/00]
176 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself there are clear and early diagnostic criteria for autism and that adequate resources are in place to identify its growing incidence and research its causes. [11576/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 176 together.
Due to problems with definition, the exact prevalence of autism in Ireland is still open to debate. Depending on the diagnostic criteria being applied, up to five per 10,000 children manifest autism to a marked degree. The diagnosis of autism is a clinical one, that is, it is based on a variety of observations rather than a defined laboratory investigation, hence the concept of an autistic spectrum which stretches from those severely affected to those with only a mild disability. The prevalence rate for this group may approach 20 per 10,000 children. There is increasing recognition of the condition of autism in this country. Whether this is due to a greater awareness leading to better ascertainment or whether there is actually a true increase in the prevalence of autism has not yet been determined. As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health related support services for children and adults with autism is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. While new additional services specifically for persons with autism have been and will continue to be developed, many persons with autism are in receipt of services within the intellectual disability services and have benefited generally from the development of new residential, respite and day services which have been substantially enhanced in recent years. However, the Government recognised that there was a need to accelerate the pace at which the identified needs of persons with autism and those with an intellectual disability were being met and is committed to meeting those needs within a defined timeframe of three years, starting with a major acceleration of investment – both capital and revenue – this year.
The additional revenue funding being allocated in 2000 is designed to support the opening of additional services with an annual cost of £35 million. The services being provided with this funding include the development and enhancement of health related support services for persons with autism. Additional capital funding amounting to £80 million is being made available over the three year period 2000 to 2002 to accelerate the process of putting in place the necessary infrastructure to support the services.
