Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Obviously, I cannot comment on individual cases. If the Deputy wants to send on the details of that case, my two colleagues here will certainly look at it. Perhaps the broader picture is the issue whereby some young people are receiving supports up to age 18 and then age out. The Deputy referred to this young person as being 19. We are looking at that issue in respect of mental health. The Deputy knows, for example, that Jigsaw provides supports for those aged 12 to 25. There is now a subcommittee in place under the national implementation and monitoring committee specifically looking at whether a young person should age out at 18 or whether it should be 21, 23 or 25. In many countries it is 25. Perhaps that is part of the issue. As I said, it is difficult to discuss individual cases.

I am not aware - I will let Dr. Niazi in on this - of many adults in departments of psychiatry in our approved centres with a diagnosis of autism. They would have to be retained under the Mental Health Act under a diagnosis of mental health.