Results 3,901-3,920 of 6,565 for speaker:Ruairí Ó Murchú

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is the means by which you learn. It is the fundamental building block you need. We all get the idea of early intervention. The witnesses spoke about bespoke solutions, which will work for people. We all know the services that are not there. I am not saying we can replace psychologists and speech and language therapists but in a very short period of time, we must be able to offer...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I thank our guests. It is great to have them here. To follow on from Deputy Tully, Mr. Lennon is saying the centre needs a serious increase in the level of resources or else policy changes and that that is where the difficulties, as regards there being no Executive and the problems with the North-South Ministerial Council, come into play. Even though there is no minister in the North, can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: We all understand that. Mr. Lennon is saying we would be having a different conversation if things were where we would prefer them to be, with the Executive up and running and so on. Would we then be having a conversation about resources? He spoke about a three- or four-year plan and I imagine that would involve expansion across the board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Everybody sees the appeal of being able to make longer-term plans rather than just continuing as we are. It is another argument for getting an Executive up and running, with the North-South Ministerial Council and all the other parts of the Good Friday Agreement in operation. Nevertheless, we will leave it at that, given it is not the issue we are here to deal with. Our guests might have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Is one of the ways better than the other?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: However, as Mr. Lennon knows, putting that guidance into operation is a different kettle of fish.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: There is a constant feedback loop, which is the best way to operate any system.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Nobody puts the perfect in place straight away. Is that feedback process happening all the time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is a fundamentally brilliant idea. It was missed by many people over many years that there is a need to engage with the people who require changes as to what works and what does not, what makes them feel more comfortable and what makes it easier for them to learn. Alongside the witnesses' own research, incorporating a feedback loop is the perfect way to run anything. They should keep...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: The child-led model makes complete sense and everything emanates from that. We need to put the structure in place and then see what works, what does not and how to improve it. That allows for consistent and constant improvement. Then one integrates whatever else from outside works. The report in relation to autism best practice brings me back to identifying what is a best practice...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Is co-ordination easier when it is within the school setting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: It is a point that needs to be made though.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I believe I speak for nearly every elected representative in Leinster House in saying that the witnesses have made very convincing arguments about their approach being effective in allowing children to flourish. They have made a fabulous case for what they are offering.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Would it be two things?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Are there two aspects involved? I imagine that one aspect is behaviours. Would the centre also be dealing with an awful lot of individuals who do not have certain skill sets and who are non-verbal also?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: How long does an assessment take? I get that the centre is always doing assessments.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: Kids could return to the setting they were in previously but with better scaffolding around them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: That is brilliant. They are more, better, faster, quicker. Obviously, we could do with things being sorted that facilitate the centre to do that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: I am not known for my brevity. We are talking about full societal change across the board. As Deputy Tully said, it is about acceptance meeting inclusivity. What the centre has done is based on a brilliant idea and research meeting action, which means improvement in the lives of autistic people and their families and in wider society. I congratulate the witnesses on the work they have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism: Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2023)

Ruairí Ó Murchú: They are living it.