Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion

Photo of Joe FlahertyJoe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Harris. Like Deputy Tully, I commend his outstanding work and that of AsIAm. It is great have such a strong advocacy group which not only challenges us but will also help us inform what will be very important policy into the future. I have taken one key nugget from Mr. Harris's opening statement which is that we need to move from mere autism awareness to a system where we are removing barriers from cradle to grave. It is great that 2,500 people will attend AsIAm's conference and it will be an opportunity to showcase Ireland. I know Mr. Harris set us a challenge. He gave a very aspirational vision for Ireland in 2025 and he really challenged us to see if we can give a better service to those with autism.

As Deputy Tully said, some of AsIAm's key requests have been delivered. We have the autism committee and the national autism innovation strategy. Mr. Harris is correct that over the course of nine months this committee can probably develop a blueprint for a better and more inclusive society. As she was leaving, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, asked us to deliver what are the key asks for this committee.

Some of us have come here with different backgrounds and different skill sets. Deputy Tully has a background in special education. Every day that I attend this committee represents a learning process for me. I am overwhelmed by the challenges the autism community faces which we need to address. It is apparent that it needs to be done as quickly as possible. What are the key things Mr. Harris wants us to deliver with the Minister of State as she has asked us? What are the roadblocks and what are the actions we need to take immediately if we are serious about helping deliver that vision to the 2,500 people who will come to Ireland in 2025?

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