Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the question. As outlined in the recently published programme for Government, the Government is committed to improving services and supports for people with disabilities, including those with autism.  

The HSE has established a national autism spectrum disorder programme board with the key responsibility of leading the implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 review of the Irish health services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The board has been tasked with leading out on an agreed set of priorities which will have the greatest impact in terms of improving how services can be delivered to people with autism spectrum disorder. I wish to advise the Deputy that while the work of the board was partly paused in March of this year, it will recommence at the end of this month. My ministerial colleague, Deputy O'Gorman and I, have also written to the Ceann Comhairle's office asking that priority be given to the establishment of an Oireachtas joint committee on disability matters. This committee would be an important interface between the various stakeholders, the HSE and public representatives and could provide an open forum for all those concerned, including people with autism spectrum disorder, their families and other interested stakeholders to address issues relevant to them and voice their concerns.   

In light of the comprehensive actions I have outlined here, the establishment of an Oireachtas committee on autism is not being considered at this time.

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