Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the first things the autism committee pushed was that Leinster House, as a place of work of work and a place where thousands of people visit every year, would be autism friendly. This project is under way and I hope that by the end of the year we will have the highest accredited parliament in the world with regard to autism friendliness. This includes training all political members, political staff and Civil Service staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Another project is the Oireachtas Work Learning, OWL, programme involving young people with intellectual disabilities. Is this something that sporting bodies could look at? Are people with disabilities or intellectual disabilities employed in the organisations? We found that 85% of those on the autism spectrum are unemployed or underemployed. There are many schemes and services such as EmployAbility whereby organisations work to create employment opportunities. The OWL programme in the Oireachtas has been very successful. Eight participants in the programme last year now have full-time jobs in the Civil Service. Perhaps this is something the organisations might look at. Perhaps they are already doing something in this regard. I know the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media is involved in the project in the Oireachtas.

I welcome that the organisations work together on the Respect Our Games campaign. The way forward is everyone working together. No matter what code someone plays, we have the same message in every town and village in the country. I compliment the witnesses on this.

Senator Warfield mentioned something I did not know about. Is free advertising provided at the grounds?