Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Ms Clare Duffy:

I do not know if that is improving. It has not shown itself to be the big issue it was a year or two years ago. That does not necessarily mean it is resolved.

Ms Cox referred in her opening statement to a position we have held for a number of years which is a little bit controversial. It concerns the NTPF. The Labour Party tabled a motion last week which reflected this for the first time. The programme for Government states - this is my language but is pretty much what it is saying - the NTPF will be extended to offer timely psychological assessments for children and adults. That is a game changer. It was a significant commitment but has not happened.