A planned all-Ireland centre for children who suffer from autism is finally back on track, after the Irish government performed a U-turn over funding.

Back in May, the future of the Middletown Centre of Excellence was thrown into doubt when the Dáil withdrew finances due to "economic pressure".

However, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has now said the government would be backing the centre.

The decision was announced at a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in Limavady, Co. Derry, where Mr Cowen discussed the issue with Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers.

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Education departments on both sides of the Irish border have equally financed the Middletown project. Despite being approved in 2002 and having £6m already spent on it, the centre has only been opened in a limited way.

The facility currently carries out research and training for professionals who work within the autism field. The eventual aim of the centre, however, is to take in affected children.

The next stage of building a residential block for assessment and therapy, and employing extra staff, was at jeopardy due to the shortage of funds.

Yesterdays meeting in Limivady also saw plans to progress a new road project from Aughnacloy to Derry and on to Donegal agreed upon.

Mr Cowen, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness also discussed the economy and ways in which the North and South could cooperate.

(NS/BMcC)