Ms Fiona Murphy:

A report was compiled by Dr. Claire Edwards and Professor Shane Kilcommins for the National Disability Authority some years ago and it recommended that there should be data collection at entry point into the criminal justice system. It might have mentioned that PULSE could be used for that data collection. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that people have ended up in court, and it is only at that stage that it becomes apparent that they have a disability.

An Garda Síochána also has a really important role in respect of early identification. Then all the other agencies in the system can be made aware and some cases might not have to proceed as far as they do.