Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy regarding the development and utilisation of digital and assistive technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28469/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Action 53 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits to developing proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. This action is being led by my Department, with support from the National Disability Authority.

In order to progress Action 53, an Assistive Technology Ad Hoc Working Group was established, to meet as often as may be necessary. The group includes membership from a number of Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and independent experts who bring both lived and professional expertise to the group. 

An initial meeting of the Assistive Technology Working Group took place in February 2020. However, following the emergence of COVID-19, the work of the group was paused. The group re-convened in June 2021 to agree a Terms of Reference and met most recently in September 2021.

The Working Group is focused on developing practical and implementable recommendations for improving the accessibility and affordable of assistive technologies, and operates in the general structure of the NDIS. A Steering Group oversees the implementation of the Strategy itself, which I chair.  

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail progress regarding the development and implementation of the Autism Innovation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28423/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As part of Autism Awareness Month, in April 2021, I announced the Government’s intention to launch an Autism Innovation Strategy to deliver real and tangible solutions to address the challenges and barriers faced by people with autism across Ireland.

I want to ensure that people with autism are given the opportunity to participate in all stages of the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy, from inception to launch, and monitoring implementation of the Strategy thereafter.

As the first step in developing the Autism Innovation Strategy, a public consultation process was launched on 29 April this year. Submissions were invited from people with autism, their families, friends, representatives and supporters.

The second phase of the development of the Strategy will comprise an expression of interest process for membership of a Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, which Minister Rabbitte will chair. This process will be launched in the coming weeks. The Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group’s main role will be to oversee the monitoring and implementation of the Strategy. It is intended that membership of the group will prioritise the representation of those with a lived experience of neurodiversity and Disabled Person's Organisations (DPOs), as much as possible.

Following the conclusion of the public consultation and the establishment of the Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, my Department will lead efforts to develop a draft strategy text. Once the Strategy has been drafted, there will be a second public consultation to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the finalisation of the actions adopted by Government.

Once published, the Autism Innovation Strategy will utilise the key themes of innovation, empowerment and awareness raising to shape future policies and strategies that are adopted to accelerate our journey towards being a more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly society.