Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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The second item on the agenda is our consideration of autism policy. Today, we are paying particular attention to health and related matters. On behalf of the committee, I extend a warm welcome to the representatives of the HSE. We are joined by: Mr. Bernard O'Regan, head of operations, disability services; Professor Malcolm MacLachlan, clinical lead for the national clinical programme for people with disability; Mr. Brian Higgins, head of change, planning and delivery, disability and mental health services; Ms Mary O’Kelly, chief officer in community healthcare for Dublin south, Kildare and west Wicklow; and Dr. Graham Connon, principal clinical psychologist, community healthcare office for Dublin north, north-central and north-west. We are grateful to the witnesses for taking time to contribute to this public session of the committee.

Health is a central issue for the autistic community, even as we move to adopt a less medical-side model of understanding autism. The committee is interested in discussing a range of issues with the representatives, such as assessments of need, staffing and other issues relating to children's disability network teams, staffing issues in general, diagnosis of children and adults, and delays in accessing therapies. We would also like to hear an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the review of the health services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ASD. Without access to assessment of needs, autistic children and adults struggle to access the necessary school places, therapies and supports that would allow them to thrive in society. The committee is aware that autistic people face significant barriers in accessing adequate health services and we are committed to addressing these issues and developing a roadmap towards a resolution in our final report, which will be laid before both Houses next March.

To date, the committee has focused on the area of education and we are very interested in hearing from the representatives of the HSE regarding how the health service can better support autistic children in primary and secondary schools and in third level institutions. We will later turn our attention to autistic people in employment. The committee is also interested in how we can make buildings more autism-friendly. That applies to us in Leinster House as it applies to every facet of society.

I thank the HSE for the written statement and comprehensive briefing note that have been supplied. Before we hear from the HSE, I propose that we publish the opening statement and briefing note to the committee website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I invite Mr. O'Regan to make his opening statement.