Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Members of the Seanad for giving me the opportunity to outline details of some of the initiatives that have been taken in recent years by this and the previous Government to enhance the level of support available to people with autism. The main areas on which I intend to speak relate to the health-funded services for people with autistic spectrum disorders and the educational services that come within the remit of the Department of Education and Science.

The philosophy underpinning the planning and delivery of services to people with disabilities, including those with autistic spectrum disorders, is that people with disabilities should be given the opportunity to live as full a life as possible and to live with their families and as part of their communities for as long as possible. Factors influencing current policy include the health strategy, Quality and Fairness, which was published in November 2001, and Government policy on the mainstreaming of services for people with disabilities.

Policy must also be underpinned by appropriate structures that facilitate access to and delivery of support services. As part of the planning structures in place, health boards have been working at regional and local level with families of people with autism and service providers to identify needs and plan responses that will meet them.

The Department of Education and Science makes educational provision for children with special needs in three ways: in special schools, special classes attached to ordinary schools, and integrated settings, in other words, integrated into mainstream classes. The main basis for provision is the assessed need of the individual child. The policy of the Department of Education and Science is to achieve as much integration as possible and also to take account of the views of parents.