Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which autism is recorded on a county or regional basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13856/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which the incidence of autism here has been measured against the incidence elsewhere in Europe and worldwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13857/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.

The national intellectual disability database report provides a profile of the population with intellectual disability as it was on a particular date and details the existing level of specialised health services for this group. However, the information pertaining to diagnosis is specifically excluded, as the database is not designed as a epidemiological tool. The database does not identify persons with specific disabilities such as Down's syndrome or autism into separate groupings as its principal role is as a planning and monitoring tool. However, more detailed information may be available from the Health Service Executive. My Department has requested the executive's national director for primary, community and continuing care to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she intends to support research into autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13858/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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In December 2004, my Department, through the Health Research Board, approved the expenditure of up to €5 million for autism research as part of a new major international research initiative to help improve international understanding of the genetic causes of autism. The Health Research Board is collaborating with organisations in the United States and Canada to award research grants to identify specific genes or gene variants, which may make people more susceptible to autism. Up to €1 million each year, for five years, will be provided through the Health Research Board to enable Irish researchers to participate in the autism genome project.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the matter referred to by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the executive's national director for primary, community and continuing care to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if research has indicated the way in which children suffering from autism can participate fully and achieve the best possible quality of life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13862/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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International literature recommends a range of services for persons with autism which begins with assessment and diagnosis at the earliest possible point followed by an assessment of need to identify the health, educational and other supports required by an individual with autism over their lifespan. My Department is working with the Health Services Executive, the Department of Education and Science, people with autism and their families to enhance the level of support available to both children and adults with autism. Additional funding amounting to over €16 million has been invested in recent years in health related support services for children with autism and those with intellectual disability, including assessment and diagnostic, early intervention and multidisciplinary support services.

The task force on autism, which was established by the Department of Education and Science, has put forward a range of recommendations ranging from measures aimed at identifying prevalence rates, through issues relating to diagnosis and assessment, the centrality of the role of parents, the required models of education and health care services, the need for specialist training for those involved in service provision, to structural, constitutional and policy issues. The scope of the task force's recommendations is such as to require a multifaceted response involving educational and health care inputs.

Under the national disability strategy, two of the Government's legislative measures, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 and the Disability Bill 2004, together with a significant investment programme, provide the framework within which the support services required to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, including those with autism, will be further enhanced.