Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion

Photo of Mark WallMark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming in this morning. It is much appreciated. I listened to her opening statement from my office. She mentioned that her Department had looked at the model in Malta. Can she give us some insight into where that consultation is at the moment? It is a model that is held up by many as regards European norms and where we should be going as a country. I ask her to develop that point a bit. What contact has there been with Malta and where does she see that going? I would appreciate that.

Unfortunately, I missed last week's meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. The July programme is essential to families. The change of routine is brought up with us on many occasions when we meet with families. In Kildare, some schools are not in a position to put it on for a variety of reasons. One suggestion that has been made to me by a number of families and schools, and the Chair has mentioned this as well, is that we should organise regional centres for summer July programme. In big towns where there are three, four or even five schools we could have a centre where that routine can be maintained for families. That is something the Department must look at urgently. Obviously it would not be done for this year but it should be looked at as we proceed into the future. I would welcome the Minister of State's response to that and hopefully her support for it. Newbridge, for example, has four schools and it could have a centre that people could bring their loved ones into. It is so important for the routine.

The Minister of State responded to Deputy Joan Collins on the cost of assessment. I get asked about this on an almost weekly and sometimes daily basis. Parents are paying up to €1,000 privately for assessments of need. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a lot of help to pay for those costs. A community welfare officer is not a solution, although I have tried that option a couple of times. Is the Minister of State looking at something like that to assist people who cannot afford a private assessment of need, to see if the Government can help them? I appreciate that the services have to be in place for after the assessment of need but first the assessment of need is demanded. Will there be help from the Government with that cost of up to €1,000?

The Labour Party has introduced the Autism Bill 2022. I ask the Minister of State to comment on that. I hope we have her support and that of the Government. Where should that Bill go from here?

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