Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Deputies, particularly Deputies Funchion and Ó Caoláin. I agree with many of their points and acknowledge the work they have done on disability over the years. I thank the Deputies for tabling this motion during world autism month and on this day, the 12th World Autism Awareness Day. I welcome the opportunity to restate this Government's commitment to supporting people with autism and their families. Like my colleagues, I welcome all the advocates, parents and families in the Visitors Gallery. The more who attend, the more the motion is strengthened and the greater the political will to develop autism services.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of life-long neurodevelopmental conditions that are estimated to affect between 1% and 1.5% of the population. Autism is a complex condition and sometimes results in physical, sensory and social difficulties that can cause distress for individuals and their families. When properly supported and understood, however, individuals with autism can thrive, flourish and maximise their full potential.

The overarching principle governing the planning and delivery of services and supports for adults and children with disabilities, including autism, is that they should be integrated as much as possible with services and supports for the rest of the population. The Government's agenda in this regard is set out in the current national disability inclusion strategy, which I launched in July 2017. The strategy takes a whole-of-Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities and aims to create the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. It reaffirms established Government policy that public services should include and serve people with disabilities. This is underpinned by the Disability Act 2005. A wide range of Departments are included in the strategy and its remit encompasses both mainstream and dedicated disability services. The strategy, which sets out Government policy on disability until 2021, takes a non-condition-specific approach to the delivery of public services and emphasises the importance of cross-departmental working and stakeholder consultation. The strategy included the development of a specific programme of additional actions in regard to autism, designed in conjunction with the National Disability Authority, NDA. In line with the Government's mainstreaming agenda, the Department of Justice and Equality has responsibility for providing a focal point for the promotion and co-ordination of disability policy, including autism.

The programme of actions on autism recognises that a greater understanding of autism across the public sector is required to address the needs of those with autism on the same basis as others with disabilities. This increased awareness has informed the Government's approach to policy development and service reviews, ensuring that detailed consultation with service users and representative bodies is the norm.

This approach, with a keen emphasis on consultation, was adopted in 2015, when the NCSE brought forward policy advice that specifically examined issues relating to the education of children with autism. The council consulted a wide range of stakeholders, including parents and children with autism. The council reported that consultation groups acknowledged that generally the education supports in place are the correct supports and work well for students with autism. Its policy advice sets out a range of recommendations which are currently being developed within the Department of Education and Skills. Alongside this consultative approach, there has been a significant increase in cross-departmental and interagency working. This has resulted in improved services for people with autism. Deputies may be familiar with the quotation, "Autism doesn't come with a manual; it comes with a parent who never gives up." I recognise that, all too often, the efforts of parents have had to be directed towards the providers of services that have not been meeting the needs of their children. This has begun to change but further work is needed. I totally accept that fact.

I am pleased the Department of Education and Skills has moved towards providing educational supports to children based on the needs of the pupils rather than on a particular diagnosis of disability. This recognises that there is a spectrum of ability and disability within every category of special educational need, whereas an allocation model strictly based upon diagnosis does not capture these distinctions. To date, this approach is working well and is consistent with international approaches.

The Government is investing heavily in supporting our children with special educational needs, with €1.8 billion being spent annually, which is about €1 in every €5 of the education budget. This includes an allocation of over €300 million towards providing additional resources specifically to support students with autism in schools. The greater proportion of children with autism attend mainstream class, where they may access additional supports if required. Special class placements are provided in mainstream schools for students with autism and more complex needs where it has been demonstrated they are unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day, even with appropriate supports.

Since 2011, the number of special classes has increased from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which almost 1,200 are ASD special classes. Special school placements are provided for other students with autism where their needs are more complex. I note the Deputies' concerns regarding wider commencement of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. While a number of sections of the Act have been commenced, including those establishing the NCSE and those providing for an inclusive approach to the education of children with special educational needs, there are a number of sections which have not, which I accept.

Under A Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government has committed to consulting stakeholders on how best to progress aspects of the Act that were introduced on a non-statutory basis. Consultations have taken place on a range of policy reforms, including the new model for allocating special education teachers. Significant progress has also been made in orienting our health and social care services in a direction that is more appropriate for users with autism. Deputies will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Health, has requested that the HSE carry out a review of health services for people with autism and identify examples of good practise that can be replicated more widely in the health service. Again, there was strong emphasis on consultation with stakeholders and service users. Following the publication of this review, the Minister for Health requested that the HSE establish a programme board to implement the recommendations of the review and publish an autism plan this year. This commitment is reflected in the HSE national service plan for 2019. An initial meeting of the programme board has now taken place and work is under way to ensure people with lived experience of autism are represented on it. That is a major step in the right direction.

Several actions by the HSE are planned or under way. These include the development of guidance for clinical practitioners working in the field of autism, standardising the autism assessment process and the planning of a communications public awareness campaign. Standardising the assessment process, in particular, will be an important step in improving access to services for people with autism.

Under the programme for progressing disability services for children and young people, children's disability network teams are being reconfigured so that all children with a disability, including autism, and their families will have access to services according to their needs. The HSE's national service plan recognises the need for further investment in additional therapies and assessment for children and funding for a further 100 new therapy posts is being provided over the course of 2019.

The HSE is committed to rolling out a national access policy that will provide for a clear pathway in terms of access to primary and specialist network teams for children, young people and adults with autism.

The HSE is committed to rolling out a national access policy, which will provide for a clear pathway of access to primary and specialist network teams for children, young people and adults with autism. Additionally, the HSE and Tusla have been rolling out a joint arrangements protocol for the co-ordination of services for children and young people with disabilities. Many children and adults with autism spectrum disorders who have support needs can be effectively supported within mainstream child and adult health services. Most children with developmental delay will access therapy services via primary care. The Government is committed to the expansion of primary care. This is reflected in the roll-out of primary care centres across the country. There are 127 operational centres, with further centres scheduled to open this year. In addition, another 80 sites are at various stages of development. Our intention is to drive forward the Government’s reform agenda, as set out in the national disability inclusion strategy. The Government will not oppose this motion.

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