Health Minister James Reilly faces questions over funding autism services in his Dublin political heartland amid claims that other parts of the country have been left “in limbo” awaiting resources.

Children with autism are having their home tuition halted and instead are being ordered to attend new special needs units, according to one of the country’s leading autism support groups.

The announcement that 91 classes for children with special needs are to be introduced to schools next month has been welcomed by disability groups.

PARENTS of special needs children said they face further cutbacks after the Department of Education confirmed children signed up for the free preschool year will have specialist home tuition hours cut.

THE number of parents refused a grant towards the cost of caring for a disabled child has almost tripled since the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DoFSA) took over the scheme from the Health Service Executive (HSE).

PARENTS of autistic children claim there has been a massive increase in the numbers being refused a vital home care allowance since the scheme was taken over by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.