Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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Today we resume our consideration of autism policy and the services and supports provided by the State for autistic people in particular. At our round-table discussion in the Seanad Chamber last Thursday, we heard directly from autistic people, from the parents of autistic children, and from autism representative groups about the difficulties autistic people are facing in everyday life in fields as diverse as engaging with the justice system, the educational system, the health service, or simply when going to the local shop. We would like to hear more about how we could remove any unnecessary barriers which may be preventing autistic people from accessing these vital services and supports and any changes to policy implementation or practice.

I welcome the witnesses. We are joined by representatives from the National Disability Authority, NDA, Dr. Rosalyn Tamming, head of policy, research and public affairs, and Dharragh Hunt, senior policy and public affairs advisor; and from Autistic Doctors International, Dr. Mary Doherty.

This is our second engagement with the National Disability Authority. We last met at a joint meeting with the Joint Committee on Disability Matters at which we discussed accessibility to the built environment, information and communication. Today, we have a broader remit, namely, autism policy in general.

The role of the NDA is to provide independent and evidence-informed advice to Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of disabled people. This includes engagement with relevant stakeholders, including disabled persons' organisations, DPOs. The NDA also includes the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, CEUD, and has published numerous interesting guidance documents on many topics which are of interest to the committee, including guidance for justice professionals and local authority housing officers, employment and models of good practice for effectively supporting adults with autism. We look forward to discussing these matters with the NDA. We also look forward to hearing from Dr. Mary Doherty, who is a founder of Autistic Doctors International, which represents autistic medical doctors. We will discuss a variety of strengths these doctors bring to healthcare, including an array of benefits for autistic patients and their core areas of peer support, advocacy, research and education.

I propose that we publish the witnesses' opening statements on the committee's website. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I now call Dr. Rosalyn Tamming to make her opening statement on behalf of the NDA.