Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I advise the House that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, had to leave to attend a Cabinet meeting, which was called this evening.

We all share a common desire to have the best possible policies and services for all children, adolescents and adults with disabilities. Both personally and as a Minister of State, I want everyone with additional needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder, to have access to necessary supports in every aspect of their lives to enable them to achieve their full potential, maximise their independence and live rich and fulfilling lives.

In recognition of the cross-departmental nature of the supports required by people with disabilities, in 2017 the Department of Justice and Equality published the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. The strategy takes a whole-of-Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities, both in a practical sense and in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. It is intended to make a significant difference over its lifetime in the position of people with disabilities in Irish society. Under the strategy, the Government is committed to ensuring people with autism will be empowered by policy and programmes to participate meaningfully as citizens in Irish society. The strategy is driven by this basic but fundamentally important objective and the most effective combination of legislation, policies, institutional arrangements and services to support and reinforce equal participation for all people with disabilities. It was informed by a comprehensive consultation process that took place during 2016 when an open call was issued to people with disabilities, their families and disability organisations.

The actions included in the national disability inclusion strategy generally relate and apply to people with disabilities, but it also contains specific actions in respect of autism. The programme of actions on autism is in keeping with the cross-disability, whole-of-Government, social model of disability approach set out in the national disability strategy implementation plan. It also recognises, however, that an increased understanding of autism across the public sector is required to ensure the implementation of the plan will address the needs of people with autism.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, and the Department of Justice and Equality established the national disability inclusion strategy steering group, which is responsible for monitoring implementation of the strategy and comprises representatives of key Departments, the NDA and the disability stakeholders group. As outlined previously, the HSE is implementing some major policy initiatives in children's disability services. The policies have the common goal of improving service delivery for all children with additional needs, including those with autism. We want to ensure there is equitable access to services, that waiting lists will be reduced and that all children will receive the supports they need when they need them. The planned publication by the HSE of an autism plan later this year further shows the Government's commitment to improving services for children and adults with autism.

Inclusion of children with special educational needs, including those with autism, has been and continues to be a priority for the Government. The move towards allocating supports based on need rather than diagnosis is mirrored in disability health services. This is a really important policy as it reflects the diversity of individuals and the multitude of needs that can hide behind a common name. The Government will continue to strongly support provision in special education in order to ensure an inclusive model of education which will have regard to the policy advice of the NCSE and be informed by what is appropriate in meeting the educational needs of children in schools. The NCSE is undertaking policy advice on educational provision in special classes and special schools. In the course of preparing the advice the council will consult widely with stakeholders. The policy advice is to be completed next year.

I again thank Deputies for highlighting this important issue on World Autism Awareness Day. I reiterate the Government's sincere and ongoing commitment to the improvement of services and supports for all individuals with additional needs, including those with autism. The national disability inclusion strategy provides the blueprint for improving services and it is by working together across Departments that we will make a difference for all people with a disability.

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