Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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The second item on our agenda is our consideration of autism policy. I welcome our witnesses to today's meeting. We are joined by representatives from the Department of Social Protection, Mr. Rónán Hession, assistant secretary with responsibility for working age income supports; Ms Geraldine Hurley, assistant secretary with responsibility for employment services; and Ms Annette Conroy, principal officer with responsibility for employment services policy.

The Department has responsibility for a range of areas which have an impact on the lives of autistic people and their families. We have already heard from parents of autistic children about issues such as the challenge of accessing various care allowances. Importantly, the Department has responsibility for such areas as disability payments and employment supports, areas which have a huge impact on the lives of young autistic adults. We want to hear more about what the Department is doing to ensure that autistic people and their families can access the supports they require, and how the Department can remove unnecessary barriers to accessing these vital supports. We are also looking to hear from our witnesses about employment supports such as EmployAbility and the wage subsidy scheme for persons with disabilities.

The issue of employment and underemployment among the autistic community is of much concern to this committee. Figures from 2019 show that 85% of autistic persons in Ireland are either unemployed or underemployed. We wish to hear from the Department about how the autistic community can be better supported in accessing employment.

I propose that we publish the opening statement and submission from the Department on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed. I now call on Mr. Rónán Hession to make the opening statement on behalf of the Department of Social Protection.