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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Autism Services.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

271 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to the recent High Court judgment in regard to the range of services avail able for autistic people over 18, he will outline the existing measures and new measures to be available through his Department; the level of co-ordination between his Department, the Department of Education and Science, and the Department of Finance; if a check-list will be provided indicating the services available through all Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22859/00]

There is a range of residential, respite, day and other support services available to persons with autism over 18. These are provided within autism specific services and also through the generic intellectual disability services. As part of the overall development of services to persons with autism and those with an intellectual disability, both the level of service provision and the range of support services available have been enhanced in recent years and this will continue over the next few years.

With reference to the level of co-ordination which exists between my Department and the Department of Education and Science, both Departments, together with the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, have worked together to enhance the level of educational and health related support services available to children with special needs. In relation to children with autism, additional funding of approximately £5 million has been invested by my Department between 1998 and 2000 to expand the level of health related support services to this group. While the major proportion of the work undertaken by both Departments relates to children, where the Department of Education and Science is involved with vocational training services, there would also be liaison, where necessary, between the two Departments and the boards. The implications of the recent High Court judgment for both the educational and health related support services are currently being examined. In relation to the Department of Finance, my Department works closely with that Department, through the Estimates and budgetary processes, to progress the development of the overall health services, including services to persons with autism. My Department would also support proposals put forward by the Department of Education and Science to the Department of Finance which are related to children or adults with disabilities.

While the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority are increasingly providing more comprehensive directories of services for persons with disabilities, I will discuss the Deputy's suggestion of a checklist or some other method of providing more comprehensive information on services to persons with autism with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

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