737 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to his reply to Question No. 168 of 9 October 2001, he will give a detailed breakdown of the £967,000 provided for the three facilities using exclusively applied behavioural analysis method in the education of children with autism to include wages, salaries, rental and capital expenses for each of the facilities projected for 2001; the similar costs for the facilities in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25907/01]

815 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has apologised to the three autistic units (details supplied) as requested following a mistake in a statement in respect of funding approved for the units in 2001; if he will also refer to the significant number of releases and statements issued by his Department so far in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26462/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 815 together.

The figure of £9,670,000 quoted in my written reply of 9 October 2001 was incorrect and should have read £967,000. I have already explained to the House this mistaken shift in the decimal point which occurred in the transmission of the reply. The incorrect figure arose from a clerical error in my Department. I have arranged to have the record of the House amended to reflect the true position and as I stated in the House I very much regret any inconvenience which this error may have caused. I also clarified this matter to the media and it was reported in the press.