Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The witnesses both spoke about the transitional structures. They have won us over with regard to having some sort of legislative framework or a plan where all the stakeholders are involved. That makes complete sense. I was interested as well in the timeline Ms Tonge spoke about. The first time I came into this committee the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN, said it would much prefer that there be a two-year run-in for admissions for kids with autism or disabilities so the school could prepare all that could be prepared. We are talking about creating that sort of transitional structure at every end. The witnesses have said it all right. We need to use all the modalities or tools of the State to facilitate this relationship with employers so we can facilitate autistic people or whoever else to go into the workplace. That would mean winners all around. Everyone has been straight in that regard. Even some of the contributors from this side have spoken about the social protection payments. I have heard it before because people talk about everything from the carer's allowance, which probably needs some element of flexibility when operating in this sphere, right through to the disability payments that have been spoken about. There are very strict guidelines and rules there that are not necessarily universally designed. That is the best way I could put it. I am just hoping I have caught the majority of the points the witnesses are making. I do not know if they want to make any further comments.