Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Work is continuing on Seanad reform. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, has been liaising with the Leaders in the Seanad and it is intended to bring forward a report, as I understand it, based on the initial report and the hearings that took place in the Seanad two summers ago.

On the disabilities issue, we have the legislation and have made our decision on it. Thankfully, the organisations are working to make the changes happen regardless of what arguments were put previously. I welcome that. I have spoken with many of these organisations, even in the past week.

In the last few years the Government has provided for hundreds if not thousands of additional posts in the area of autism to try to address the needs. If it is a constitutional issue it can be looked at by the All-Party Committee on the Constitution but in terms of assisting and providing services for those with autism and to help those with autism who attend schools and health services the Government has continued to put in huge resources. I am not familiar with the report to which the Deputy referred but certainly it has been Government policy to do everything it can to help those who have difficulties, particularly children, with autism.

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