Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I would like to welcome everyone to this public meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism. We have received apologies from Deputies Ó Cathasaigh and Harkin. Before we start business today, I would like to read some formal notices and the Covid-19 code of conduct. All present in the committee room are requested to exercise personal responsible responsibility to protect ourselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

On privilege, 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, in order 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. They 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.

The first item on the agenda is the minutes from our previous meeting, the private meeting held on 14 July 2022. These minutes were already approved at a virtual private meeting but I ask for their approval in public session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

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.

There will be two sessions today. The first is with representatives of the Teaching Council and the second will be the Teachers Union of Ireland, Fórsa and the Irish Primary Principals Network. I propose that we have a short break between the sessions. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I propose that the following arrangements apply. We will first hear each opening statement and that will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members. Witnesses are asked to ensure that their statement lasts only four or five minutes. Each member will have four minutes. Members may speak more than once and they will be called in accordance with the list of speaking slots, which was circulated previously.

The first item on our agenda are minutes. Are the minutes for the private meeting held on 15 September and the public meeting held on 20 September agreed? Agreed.

Our second agenda item is consideration of autism policy. Today, we will pay particular attention to education and related matters. This session will conclude after one hour.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the representatives of the Teaching Council. We are joined by Ms Phil Fox, acting director and Ms Bríd Murphy, acting head of initial teacher education and induction. We are grateful to our witnesses for taking time out of their busy schedules to contribute to the public session of the joint committee on autism.

The education system at all levels is critical when it comes to enabling autistic children to reach their full potential. The committee wishes to find out how autistic people are enabled to participate fully in primary, post-primary and third level education and how the transition between schools and further education and training is facilitated.

The committee is interested in learning how the education system interacts with other services, including health and employment support services. We want to know if there is sufficient interagency co-operation. An area of particular interest is how teachers are trained and supported in educating autistic people.

The Teaching Council is the regulatory body for the teaching profession and has 116,000 teachers on its register. The committee would like to hear what policy initiatives are ongoing or are planned, including teacher training, to assist autistic pupils and students. We look forward to hearing the views of the council on the issue of autism policy, particularly from the perspectives of teaching standards, initial teacher education, continuous professional development and anything else that may occur.

Before we hear from witnesses, I propose that we publish the opening statement from the Teaching Council on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I call on Ms Phil Fox, acting director for the Teaching Council to make her opening statement.