Mr. Michael Hegarty:

Senator Wall asked about people with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, working and what we do to support them. I cannot answer that question directly insofar as the criteria to access St. Joseph's Foundation's services for adults include a diagnosis of intellectual disability. That creates an extra layer of complexity. We have job coaches to support people in supported employment but they would be people with ASD and intellectual disability. I cannot give the Senator a direct answer in relation to ASD.

With PDS, we have people coming through with complex needs, perhaps solely physical or solely ASD or comorbidity. Once they reach 18 years, they will move on to other services as opposed to into St. Joseph's. Unfortunately, I cannot give the Senator a direct answer to that.