Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Micheál CarrigyMicheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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As it is our first public meeting of 2023, I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year. No apologies have been received. Before we start, I will read some formal notices and the Covid-19 code of conduct. All of those present in the committee room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

With regard to 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, 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. Members who are online might indicate that they are on the campus.

For the information of witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Oireachtas 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. Witnesses 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.

For the information of members, the Dáil Business Committee has agreed to our request for a Dáil debate on the committee's report which we published before Christmas. The debate is set for Thursday, 2 February 2023, and while we do not yet have a time, it is due to take place in the afternoon.

With regard to today's meeting, I propose that the usual arrangements will apply: the witnesses will make statements for five minutes each; we will then have questions and answers with members, for which each member has five minutes; and members may speak more than once, if time allows. Is that agreed? Agreed. At the request of the Working Group of Committee Cathaoirligh, we will endeavour to finish the meeting by 2 p.m at the latest. Members will be called in accordance with the speaking slots agreed for this week, which were circulated with the meeting notes.

The first item on our agenda is the minutes of our previous meetings. The question is that we approve the minutes of the public meetings held on 8 December, 13 December and 15 December of 2022. Is that agreed? Agreed.

We resume our consideration of autism policy. I welcome our witnesses to the meeting. From Inclusion Ireland, we are joined by Ms Derval McDonagh, CEO; Ms Angela Locke Reilly, advocacy project worker; and Ms Sarah Jane Lavin, director and self-advocate. Inclusion Ireland is a national voluntary organisation which works to promote the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and to ensure their participation in society. For many years, Inclusion Ireland has been involved in important work in advocating for the rights of autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities to access the services they need to fully participate in society. We look forward to hearing its views on how the State can better promote inclusivity in education and in other parts of our society.

We are also joined by Dr. Áine Roddy, assistant lecturer in health informatics and e-health at Atlantic Technological University, Sligo. Dr. Roddy looks at the economic aspects of childhood autism and the financial implications for families where public services are not available to them. The committee has heard a great deal from parents and advocacy groups about the financial strain that many families experience. We are interested in hearing more from Dr. Roddy on her views on this issue and how the State can better support these families.

Before we hear from our witnesses, I propose that we publish their opening statements on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I call Ms Derval McDonagh to make her opening statement on behalf of Inclusion Ireland.