Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and very much appreciate him being here for this Bill. I thank Senator Reilly for bringing this legislation forward. It is very important. The one warning I would sound relates to the fact that Senator Reilly brought forward a Bill in 2009 when he was a Deputy relating to medical practitioners and the need for insurance. Less than an hour ago, we signed off on the final stages of the Department's Bill. I followed up Senator Reilly's 2009 Bill with a Private Members' Bill, but I am glad to say this Bill has now gone through. I hope we do not wait eight years for this legislation to go through because it is very important. It is so because of the families and people for whom the Bill aims to cater and provide the necessary supports. It is about developing an ASD strategy. It is very important we do this. It is about the Minister consulting each Department, the Executive and all the people involved in providing services for those with autism.It is also about ensuring that there is a clear system of accountability, which is important.

As set out in section 3 of the Bill, the autism spectrum disorder strategy concerns access to health care services, education, employment and any service provided by a public body, social inclusion, access to advocacy services and the provision of legal aid where required. It is about ensuring that any service, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or behavioural therapy, is provided to people who require it.

Senator Reilly mentioned dental services. In the past two weeks alone, I have dealt with two people with autism who required access to dental services. I was surprised by the initial advice that they had received. After I handled their cases, the advice that they got was different. I am glad that the situation has worked out well for both. This issue is not just about medical services. I had to intervene to ensure that those people got necessary dental services. One was a six year old child and the other was aged in the 50s. It is important that there be a proper structure in this regard.

It is also important to note that people with this disability have a contribution to make. Senator Reilly is right in that this issue was parked down the years and we did not consider the contributions that people could make. My sister-in-law was looked after by her mother for more than 50 years and is now being provided with full-time care. She got involved in painting and drawing. Her mother had been told for 30 years that she did not have a contribution to make, but one of those paintings was exhibited at European level. Everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of the difficulties they face. It is important that there be a proper long-term strategy for people. It is also important that parents feel that the State is providing them with the necessary support.

We are facing major challenges in terms of people who need State support. This is one of the issues that has arisen at the health committee in recent weeks. We must not park it. It concerns parents who provide necessary care but where age is catching up with them. They find that they are not getting the support they require. We must address this matter urgently. I know a man who has taken his daughter to a day-care facility every day for the past 50 years. He is 79 years of age and drives the 15 or 20 miles in the morning and again in the evening. He will not be able to do that for much longer. It is important that people like him be given the support they need. The strategy can deal with these issues.

I welcome the Bill. It is comprehensive and well thought out. I hope that, in the not too distant future, this legislation will go through both Houses and be signed into law, given its importance. I also hope that I will not have to wait eight years.