James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills co-operate on a regular basis in progressing disability issues. In 2006 a cross-sectoral team was established to provide for a joint approach by both Departments to the implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs - EPSEN - Act 2004. The team includes senior officials from both Departments, as well as representatives from the HSE and the National Council for Special Education.

As the Deputy may be aware, Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced for children under the age of five years on 1 June 2007. It had been intended to have both the Disability Act 2005 and the EPSEN Act 2004 fully implemented during 2010 in respect of children and young people between the ages of five and 18 years. In the light of financial circumstances, however, further implementation of the Acts was deferred in 2008. Notwithstanding the deferral of further implementation of the Acts, the cross-sectoral team continues to meet to address issues of mutual concern for people with disabilities, including children with autism.

The HSE is undertaking a national review of autism services. The review will identify the core principles of service delivery and standards of practice that will guide national autism services in the future. The aim is to review current models of service provision, make recommendations on preferred models of service delivery, and identify clear and consistent pathways for access to services for children with autism. It is expected that the final report will be presented to the board of the HSE shortly.

The review will be taken into consideration in framing future policy developments on autism. The issue of strengthening co-operation between the Department of Education and Skills, the HSE and the Department of Health on policy and operational matters for children with autism will also be examined as part of this process and necessitate further discussions between all parties. I have raised these issues with the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs as part of this process. It is our intention to appoint a person at principal officer level to co-ordinate this work across the three Departments.

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