Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of the €3 million funding for autism services that he announced in January 2012 that has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49937/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Review of Autism Services: Past, Present and Way Forward Report (2012) and the Progressing Disabilities Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme set out the policy context for the provision of autism services to children and young people. The objective of the Progressing Disabilities Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to the services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. This Programme aims to remedy the variations in service provision that currently persist around the country.

To assist in addressing some of these variations, I announced the allocation of €1m in funding for autism and early intervention services in 2012. Based on a report prepared by the HSE, I approved €300,000 of this funding, which equates to five therapists 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.

Following ongoing discussions on the best way forward in relation to Beechpark Autism Services, the HSE confirmed that this approved funding would 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 provides, in the first instance, for the recruitment of the necessary five therapy staff. This process is under way. The HSE has also assigned a Disability Manager in Dublin North East to oversee the re-configuration of early intervention services for children and young people with disabilities in the region, in line with the national Progressing Disabilities Programme.

I separately 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 re-organisation of services under way in line with the 0-18's Programme. Further funding in relation to Beechpark and other regions of the country, was put on hold, pending the outcome of this Review. This Review is expected to be concluded shortly. The issue of service levels and funding to be provided for the disability sector is being considered in the context of the development of the HSE's National Service Plan for 2014.