Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for introducing this motion. I do not often agree with Sinn Féin Deputies, but I am fully behind them on this occasion. I welcome the people in the Gallery. I would like to extend a special welcome to Patricia O'Leary, who has travelled all the way from Ballinascarty to be here this evening. I would like to publicly acknowledge the Trojan work she does in the field of autism. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of the Dublin 12 campaign group which works very closely with my colleague, Senator Ardagh. Fianna Fáil is happy to support this motion on World Autism Awareness Day. More importantly, we support the values that underpin the motion. The complexities of an autism diagnosis should not preclude any person from the right to a fulfilling life. In that regard, the introduction of an autism empowerment strategy can provide for achievable, effective and sustainable intervention programmes. The motion before the House proposes the establishment of an all-party committee on autism, which would "hear directly from autistic people and their families" to gain practical and actionable insights into their thoughts and aspirations. This is very welcome.

Last year, I had the pleasure of opening the Re-Thinking Autism conference in Cork. The attendees were a diverse group of adults with autism, parents, families, caregivers, employers, educators, professionals and advocates. I believe this mix is important because far too often, policymakers tend to discuss autism with just some of the stakeholders. We often neglect to include everyone. That said, it is necessary to point out that progress cannot be made with a strategy unless the HSE service plans that have been promised are put in place. We all know that early intervention is vital. In that regard, it is imperative that the full capacity of children's disability network teams is put in place without delay. Fewer than half of the 129 teams are in place at this stage. I have raised this issue on a number of occasions. I was told the new teams would be in place by the end of 2018. Clearly, this has not come to pass. Not enough children's disability network teams are in place. Moreover, the amount of time that a child must wait to receive a first assessment for occupational therapy is truly shocking. Over 6,500 people under the age of 18 have been waiting more than a year for such an assessment. The number of occupational therapists employed in the HSE disability services remains below the level required to ensure services are not understaffed. Aside from anything else, the right to an assessment is set out in law. The Disability Act 2005 provides that an assessment must commence within three months of an application and must be completed within a further three months.

The Bill mentioned in the motion, which Fianna Fáil supported during its passage through the Seanad, will not make a difference unless the Government lives up to its responsibilities. Thankfully, there is a growing realisation in Irish society that we need to find ways of accommodating people with autism, particularly children. It is great to see shops, cinemas and football stadiums offering places where people with autism can rightly take part in everyday activities. I am particularly proud of Clonakilty, which is in my constituency of Cork South-West, because it has been designated as Ireland's first autism-friendly town. Corcaigh Thiar Theas is leading the way again. In order to attain this honour, which was awarded to Clonakilty by the AsIAm organisation, the town had to comply with a rigorous process. Participants in this initiative include businesses, volunteers, schools, public services and healthcare professionals. Organisations that are signed up to this initiative are known as autism-friendly champions and are recognisable by a sticker displayed on the front door of their premises. Each of them also displays a "service dog friendly" sticker. This shining example of how to make our communities more inclusive can be replicated throughout the country. In that regard, funding needs to be in place so that supports can be readily available. I hope the Government will take some meaningful and concrete steps to make progress with the concepts outlined in this motion. I call on the Minister of State to accept the motion. I am glad he has indicated he will do so.

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