Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the education and training An Garda Síochána receive in relation to autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30168/21]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman. I was not expecting my question to come up so soon. On the previous question, because of Covid-19 and everything that is happening, I do not know if there is provision to extend the current list, or for the Commissioner to be able to add other retirements on to that list, to deter experienced senior gardaí from retiring.

My question is with regard to training in autism for An Garda Síochána.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Was Deputy Carroll MacNeill indicating?

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am asking questions on behalf of Deputies Creed and Griffin. I believe they communicated this at an earlier stage. I can do so after Deputy Conway-Walsh.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That was not communicated to me, to make that clear.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My apologies.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for that. I call the Minister in response to Deputy Conway-Walsh.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This question relates to the training An Garda Síochána receives with regard to autism.

In reply to Deputy Conway-Walsh's previous question, I am happy to look at any case and recommendation the Commissioner makes to me. I understand that he advertised to see if people wanted to stay on and it was up to them to make an application. I do not have the figures here but I can provide them. Some people applied but I believe it was not as many as we thought. If the Commissioner recommends that it is necessary for somebody to stay on, I am happy to receive those recommendations.

I thank the Deputy again for raising this issue. As she will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the education and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.

However, I am assured by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána are acutely aware of the importance of respecting neurodiversity and the training they require to provide an appropriate service to autistic people.

In this regard, the Garda has been engaging with AsIAm, Ireland's national autism charity group, on this issue. This includes the development of a specific training programme on autism awareness, which is expected to be released on 1 July 2021, via the Garda learning management system, to all personnel. All Garda trainees complete the BA in applied policing programme. The programme's community-centred policing module aims to equip students with the personal and professional expertise to proactively police Ireland's diverse community. AsIAm has delivered a presentation to trainees as part of this module. I am informed that An Garda Síochána has also discussed the development of an e-learning modules for trainees with AsIAm.

I am further informed that under its human rights strategy for 2020 to 2022, An Garda Síochána will establish a network of human rights champions who will promote awareness of human rights issues throughout the organisation.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to hear the Minister's reply. My experience leads me to commend An Garda Síochána on its interactions with autistic people, including adults and teenagers Garda members are often on the front line dealing with behavioural issues because of gaps left by the HSE and other organisations that are statutorily required to provide the supports that are needed. In my experience, it is often the case that the only interaction and support parents get is from An Garda Síochána. I am pleased that AsIAm will provide autism-specific training to members of An Garda Síochána. I commend Adam Harris of AsIAm on the brilliant work the organisation is doing on this subject.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is absolutely correct that Adam Harris is a great advocate for people with autism. There is great work going on and great co-operation between his organisation and the Garda. We are very supportive of that. As I said, a specific training programme on autism awareness is expected to be released on the Garda learning management system on 1 July 2021.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Minister knows, one in 60 children is born autistic. The supports required for those children are something for which we need to prepare. Where supports and services are provided in a timely way, we can have academic brilliance within that population, but there needs to be investment. We also need to invest in ensuring that behaviours relating to autism are understood. I will not say "dealt with" but "understood". If the Garda Síochána can have a better understanding across the board of autism and autistic people, it will be to the benefit of the whole of society. It is wrong that the HSE defers many of its responsibilities to An Garda Síochána. That needs to stop.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is good that this work is ongoing, including on another phase of training for the human rights champions initiative. That will involve representative bodies, including Mental Health Ireland, ADHD Ireland, AsIAm, Merchant's Quay Ireland, the National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the National Disability Authority. The Garda Síochána has carried out a number of changes to its website to make it more accessible to people with disabilities. It has provided an accessibility assistive toolbar solution, Recite Me, which allows website users to customise their experience on the site in a way that suits their needs. Recite Me provides features to enable accessibility such as text-to-speech functionality, customisable display and styling features, reading aids and a translation tool with more than 100 languages, including 35 text-to-speech voices. This shows that the Garda is reaching out and trying to improve its service for those with disabilities.