Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Flynn asked me to clarify a point in her absence. People who understand neurodiversity and so forth have been critical of ABA and PBS. Has society not been listening to those who have invested hugely in the study autism? Is it not taking what they have to say seriously in light of the fact that those therapies are available? I go back to Senator Seery Kearney's point about the level of planning on the part of South Dublin County Council in the context of playgrounds and the awareness about the built environment that is slowly emerging. Is it not really us - the people - who need to be educated?

I return to the point on whether we need a module at teacher training level or whether it would almost be a module in the basics of life. For the acceptance and understanding of the challenges that exist for people who are neurodivergent, it is vital that such a module, whether at primary level or whatever, is brought in. It frightens me, particularly in the context of young children. Parents with young children will reach out to anyone they can in order to try to get help. They are in a very vulnerable position when there are practices within society that are for the ill of society and for the ill of the person who needs support. There is no regulation; we really need to ensure that there is proper regulation. Whether it is the Department or CORU, the very basic thing we need is proper regulation. We are dealing with human beings who are vulnerable, and there is no guidance in place. We would not have someone who has no qualifications performing cancer surgery. There is proper regulation that we do not seem to have. The witnesses might comment on the first point, particularly on the question Senator Flynn asked me to pose.