Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome everyone here today. I thank the Leader of the Seanad, Senator Chambers, and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Buttimer, in particular for allowing us to hold our meeting in this House. As the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad said, it is unusual but it is apt in the context of the work we are doing. Our guests, as parents and advocates, have the opportunity to come into a Chamber of Government and air their concerns and views.

Before we start our business, I will read some formal notices. All those present in the room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

For the information of our witnesses, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references they may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or of those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. They 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 the person or entity. Therefore, where statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a round-table discussion on the public concern in respect of the services and supports provided by the State for autistic persons. I welcome our guests. They include parents and representative groups from around the country. The committee has discussed autism policy with Ministers, Departments, State bodies, academics, trade unions, professional bodies, parents' representatives, charities and autistic persons themselves. We believe that autistic persons and their families must be central to any conversation relating to the provision of State services to people on the autism spectrum. It is imperative that people on the spectrum from all over Ireland are given the opportunity to have their voices heard and to discuss their experiences in Ireland today, and how we can make things better. Therefore, as a committee, we made the decision to hold this round-table discussion on the public concerns and on the supports provided by the State. The committee hopes that this opportunity will enable members to hear at first hand how autistic persons can be empowered to lead a full life and take part in Irish society. We are looking forward to hearing from the witnesses about what services and supports should be provided to autistic persons. We also want to hear how we can remove any unnecessary barriers that may be preventing autistic persons from accessing the vital services and supports they need and to which they are entitled.

We will meet parents' representative groups from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. At that point, we will have a lunch break. The press officer for the Houses of the Oireachtas will be there to take some informal photographs. We might try to get a group photograph on the plinth of Leinster House before we go for refreshments.

At 2 p.m. a number of self-advocacy persons and groups will be here and we will also be joined by Adam Harris from AsIAm between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Speakers may wish to consider some of these key issues when they are speaking: access to assessment and intervention; issues with assessment and intervention; education, including limited effectiveness of special classes to promote full inclusion; employment, including lack of employment supports; adult diagnosis and access and implications of that; and the need for autism-friendly buildings throughout the country. I want to thank to Ms Roisin Deery in the Houses of the Oireachtas who is doing a tremendous amount of work to make our Parliament one of the first in the world to be an autism-friendly parliament and welcoming to people of all disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. I thank her for the work she has been doing on that.

I will outline how the meeting will run. I will ask each group to make a statement. They will have up to five minutes. I will then give an opportunity to members to put questions to any specific group. If people feel they want to come in on any issue, just indicate and we will let everyone in. This is their opportunity to have their say on what they feel that we as a committee will put in our report, which will be published on 1 June. It will be laid before the Dáil and Seanad and will put forward proposals for changes that we feel the Government needs to make to ensure we have an inclusive society. If I missed a group, I apologise. My notes are slightly wrong. I call the Cavan-Monaghan Parents Committee first.