Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will support the Irish Autism Action Group with the request on the census (details supplied). [19111/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has statutory responsibility for the carrying out of the census of the population in Ireland. The CSO has advised my Department that it is not possible to include a specific question on autism or autistic spectrum disorder in the 2011 census questionnaire. The Department of Health and Children does not collect information on children identified with autism and aspergers on a national or international basis. Information pertaining to diagnosis is specifically excluded from the National Intellectual Disability Database as the database is not designed as a medical epidemiological tool. Accordingly the database does not record the incidence of autism or any other disability.

The other matter raised in the Sunday Tribune Newspaper in relation to the allocation of resources for autism and the collection of autism statistics is a matter for the Health Service Executive. However, I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.