Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
197 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding has been made available for the purchase of a centre (details supplied) in County Armagh for the high support of children with autism. [20651/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe centre in question is the former St. Joseph's Adolescent Centre owned by the St. Louis Order. It will be operated on a joint North-South basis to serve the needs of children and young persons with autism in both jurisdictions. The costs involved will be shared on an equal basis. The purchase cost is £3 million sterling.
The property acquisition was completed in the in the past few days and my Department has provided its share of the cost. Proposals for the centre envisage the following: a learning support service; an educational assessment service; a training and advisory service and, an autism research, dissemination and information service.
