Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the Bill is to provide a consistency in the type and availability of autism services that exist across the country. Although the Bill was first introduced in 2017, many of the problems that it sought to address still remain issues today. This highlights the need for legislative intervention. For those familiar with autism, they will know that it contains many different forms. That means each person has a different level of need.

The cross-departmental engagement, as mentioned, is a way forward in the development of an autism strategy and should be welcomed. The fact that the Minister for Health has to consult with each Department in the development of a strategy should be very welcome. Too often we see lack of joined-up thinking in Government circles with different arms of the State engaged in a wrestling match with each other. A cross-departmental approach, therefore, is welcomed and would have my full support.

Section 2 provides for a clear system of accountability with regard to service provisions for people with autism. There are probably many other sections of Government activity that could do with clear systems of accountability but this one would be certainly welcome.

To quote from the Bill's explanatory memorandum:

Section 3(1)(a) requires that the Strategy outline how the needs of persons with autism spectrum disorder should be met by service providers in respect of access to various specified services. Section 3(1)(b) requires that the Strategy should make provision for individual assessments of persons with autism spectrum disorder to [be] conducted by a team of medical professionals. Section 3(1)(c) requires that the Strategy place an emphasis on how families of a person having autism spectrum disorder can be supported in meeting the needs of that person.

With all of those fine proposals and aspirations, I say to the Government that I do not and will not support a situation where services provided to people with autism are different depending on whereabouts in the country the person is located. Private services are costing families very significant amounts of money and in many cases are unaffordable. People with autism in counties Wexford and Donegal should not and must not have different access and availability of local services.

In County Wexford there is no respite service available for autism families. I have a situation where a family has fostered a child with autism for the past ten years. The child is now ten years of age and must go to Enniskerry, County Wicklow for the first time in ten years for respite. I know that that is not acceptable. I know also that the Minister of State is working very hard on this and I appreciate that both Ministers are but that is an unacceptable situation. Funding is now more available and that is one issue I ask the Ministers present to categorically address. The issue for this child is that it has never been away from its family for ten years and now has to travel in excess of approximately an hour and 45 minutes. If there was an issue for the child and the family had to be called upon in that hour and 45 minutes, very significant damage and upset can be done. I ask that the Ministers to bear that in mind and I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

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