James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, to correct the record, Beechpark Services is not located in my constituency. I thank the Deputies for their concern and raising this matter. The HSE publication National Review of Autism Services: Past, Present and Way Forward and the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People project, known as the zero to eighteens programme, set out the policy context for the provision of autism services to children and young people. The objective of the zero to eighteens programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability.

Disability health services for children, including those for autism, are organised very differently across the country because of the way in which they have been initiated and developed over many years. Some organisations provide services for a specific group of children who have a particular kind of disability, or they may only operate in one part of the country. This means that while there are excellent services for some children in an area, there may be little or none for others. The zero to eighteens programme aims to remedy this inequity in service provision. To address some of the inequity, I announced the allocation of €1 million in funding for autism and early intervention services in 2012. Beechpark is a regional, community-based HSE service which provides specialised clinical supports for children with a specific diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder up to 18 years of age who attend designated special schools, outreach preschools and outreach classes in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. Based on a report prepared by the HSE, I approved €300,000 of this funding, which equates to five therapist posts, for Beechpark Services in Dublin, north of the Liffey, to address the pressing needs of its catchment area, with a particular emphasis on reducing waiting times.

It is important for Deputies to recognise the scale of the work that will be enabled by the investment. I have a list of 29 schools in which services for autism will now be put in place as a result of the new posts in Beechpark Services in north Dublin. Far from being in my constituency, as is being suggested, the vast bulk of them are not. They are schools in Donnycarney, Finglas, Castleknock, Glasnevin, Artane, Clonee, Swords, Fairview, Tyrellstown and many other places.

The report also proposed an allocation for Beechpark in the Dublin-mid-Leinster region which was to be rolled out in year two. I also established an independent review group in 2012 to look at the Beechpark model of services and how resources could be used in the best and most effective way in light of the HSE review of autism services and the reorganisation of services that is under way in line with the zero to eighteens programme. Further funding for Beechpark and other regions of the country is scheduled to be released after the outcome of this review. I understand the review is expected to be concluded shortly.

Following ongoing discussions on the best way forward for Beechpark autism services, the HSE has confirmed that the funding approved will be allocated to HSE Dublin North East in 2013 for Beechpark in order to address the waiting list for services in Dublin north-east. This will provide, in the first instance, for the recruitment of the necessary five therapy staff. I am aware, however, that addressing the significant pressures in Dublin north east is only a starting point. The HSE has confirmed that the €300,000 is just a first step in 2013. The balance of funding for autism and early intervention services nationally will be made available. The allocation of these further resources must be considered in light of the findings of the independent review.

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