Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Micheál CarrigyMicheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone to the 50th meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism and the 22nd public session over the last 12 months. Apologies have been received from Senator Ardagh and before we start today's business I will go through some formal notices. All those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that members must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, in order to participate in public meetings. I will not allow 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 precincts of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting.

For the information of our 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. They are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in any such 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 the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The arrangements for our business is that the Minister of State will make her opening statement for five minutes. Members will then have an opportunity for questions and answers and each member will have five minutes for both questions and answers. If there is time at the end of the meeting I will allow speakers to come in. We will use the speaking list that was circulated on week two. There are two sessions today. Our first session will run from now until 12.30 p.m and we will take a five-minute break. The second session will be with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. I will be tight on time to make sure everyone gets in and that we finish our first session at 12.30 p.m. Is that agreed? Agreed.

There are some procedural issues regarding our next private session meeting due to take place on Thursday, 25 May 2023. I ask for agreement that meeting take place at 11 a.m. rather than 12 noon if possible. Is that agreed? Agreed. Regarding the orders of reference of our committee, and as agreed at our previous meeting, we will proceed with the dissolution date set out by the Business Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas of 1 June 2023. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The first item on the agenda is the minutes of our previous meetings. The question is to approve the minutes of 11 May and 16 May 2023. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The second item on our agenda is our consideration of autism policy. Before we hear from the Ministers I propose that we publish their opening statements. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Mary Butler. I also welcome her Departmental officials, Dr. Siobhán Hargis from the Department of Health; Mr. Brian Higgins, Mr. Bernard Regan and Dr. Amir Niazi from the HSE; and Ms Clare Gray from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. They are all very welcome.

The remit of this committee is to consider matters relating to services and supports provided by the State for autistic people. Autism is a lifelong condition and a recent study suggested that the prevalence of autism among schoolchildren in Ireland today is 3.3%. In Northern Ireland, a recent study found that 5% of the school-going population is autistic. It is important to remember that these young autistic people will grow into older autistic adults and we must ensure supports are available to them. Additionally, the committee is interested in discussing mental health services for autistic persons. Following discussions with numerous stakeholders the committee has heard of such issues as access to mental health services for autistic children, including difficulties for children with an autism diagnosis in accessing child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, access to mental health services for autistic adults, and access to supports in general for older people who are on the autism spectrum.

I now call on the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to make her opening statement.

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