Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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464. To ask the Minister for Health if he will convene a national health consultative forum, as allowed for under section 8 of the Health Act 2004, to gather knowledge, insights and expertise from health experts and interest groups involved in the area of health service provision, particularly in the area of services for children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29768/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the third phase in the consultation process is taking place with a view to developing a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy which I launched in July 2016.

The new Strategy will replace the previous National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan NDSIP), and will take a whole-of-Government approach to disability issues, including setting out high-level objectives and detailed actions in areas of education, employment, provision of public services, health, income support, and personal safety and autonomy.

Following phase 3, a proposed/draft Strategy will be prepared with the assistance of the National Disability Strategy Steering Group for consideration by Government. It is envisaged that the new Strategy will be in place by end 2016.

When the Strategy is in place, my Department will reconstitute its Departmental Consultative Committee. Its membership will have the input of stakeholders – disability organisations and service providers, individuals with a lived experience of disability, Government Departments and agencies - to discuss a range of issues for people with disabilities including services for children with Autism.