Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to this second session of today's public meeting. I have an apology from Deputy Ó Cathasaigh. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the parliamentary precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

For the information of the witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. However, if witnesses are giving their evidence remotely from a place outside the parliamentary precincts they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses may think it appropriate to take some legal advice on the matter but I do think we will need that today. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

I welcome our representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. Present are Mr. David Joyce of ICTU, Ms Deirdre O’Connor of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, and Ms Michelle Quinn of SIPTU and chair of the ICTU's disability committee, who is joining us remotely. We also have representatives from Specialisterne Ireland. They are Mr. Peter Brabazon, CEO, and Ms Noreen Murphy, operations manager. Before we hear from our guests, I propose we publish their opening statements on the committee website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The committee has had several meetings about autism and education. We have met parents, teachers, advocacy groups, agencies and Ministers. Last week we published a report on the summer programme for 2023 that we hope will enhance the education experience and increase the number of schools providing that programme for autistic children and their families. We recently met the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, and SOLAS to discuss how autistic people can be supported in further and higher education and training.

Next, we are turning our attention to autism and employment. Globally, the UN says 80% of those with autism are not in the workforce. A recent survey from AsIAm put that figure at 85% for person who were either unemployed or underemployed. That figure is too high. We wish to discuss with our guests ways in which we can better support autistic people outside and beyond the educational system to get and keep jobs.

I call on Mr. Joyce to make his opening statement.