Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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From hearing how it works with the third level institutions, I think it makes sense. We want to try to ensure progression for families through school, third level and employment. I am the father of an autistic child and that is what I want to see. I want to know that those supports and opportunities are there through life.

I think it is fantastic that the technology is there. However, it is not acceptable that we are not utilising it. I would love to see some collaboration between the witnesses and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, all working together. There is successful scheme in Trinity College in the centre for intellectual disabilities and autism which has a mentoring programme with 40 national and international companies that are employing staff. They provide support for the staff into the work environment. I am amazed by the some of the figures. The workplace equipment adaptation grant is not being utilised by companies. We have supports in place with regard to wages for companies. I cannot recall the name of the scheme but we spoke about it with the Department of Social Protection. We just need to max it up and create a system of support for children, families and young adults. I can see each part complementing the other from what the witnesses have said today. If the witnesses had that support coming into third level, it would make their job easier. They would find extra financial support for staff to support people into employment and to expand the mentoring programme across all the colleges in the country. There are companies in every town willing to come on board. I have spoken with representatives of the Technological University of the Shannon, TUS, in Athlone and Limerick. They would love to take on and develop something like this with companies based in the midlands. Administration support staff and staff hours are needed to be able to administer such a scheme. Much of the support we are giving to the colleges is for projects. There has to be a physical project or something rather than us providing staff hours to support this.