Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Jim Lennon:

We normally agree on an annual business plan with both Departments that sets out the quantum of services we can provide. There is capacity to flex within that. We have an upper limit but depending on the particular priorities of the two Department, be it policy priorities or other particular issues, we can move up and down with those flexible bands.

Covid was a significant period of development for us. Prior to Covid, most of our training services were probably delivered in situ.

Those could have been in Cork, Coleraine, Belfast or Dublin. However Covid meant we had to move the entire operation online. Fortuitously, we had invested quite a lot in technology so we were able to move the bulk of the services online. I will let Dr. McCaffrey explain in more detail because that is one area in which we can expand at the moment.