Significant progress has been made in relation to providing services for autistic children, the High Court was told yesterday. Progress reports on the situation were presented on behalf of the Departments of Education and Health.
The court was told significant progress had been made in the areas of speech therapy, psychological services, transportation and occupational and other therapy.
Late last year it was indicated that £4 million was being allocated by the State for the care of autistic children. The cases of 16 such children were before Mrs Justice McGuinness for review yesterday.
The court heard that classes for autistic children were already under way in schools in Leixlip, Co Kildare, and at Finglas, Donnycarney and Greenhills, Dublin. It was expected there would be a further class in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, in about two months. The cases were adjourned for a further progress report until later dates.