John McGuinness
Ceist:548 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing a centre of excellence for the treatment and care of those who suffer from autism. [21993/01]
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
Discussions have been completed between my Department, the South Eastern Health Board and the Office of Public Works in relation to the future use of the property in question and arrangements are currently being finalised to formally transfer the property to the health services.
The south eastern regional intellectual disability consultative committee has recently agreed to put in place a project worker to complete a report on the needs assessment in relation to the number of people with autism and the range of service responses required to meet their individual needs. This will inform the consultative process with service providers and families, together with the staff from the board, as to the principles and service models required for this and other service developments in this area. The project worker will also develop an implementation plan for the services in the region.
I assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work closely with the board to move this project forward as speedily as possible.