Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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National action in respect of autism is a commitment in the Programme for Government. Development of a new national strategy on autism, the Autism Innovation Strategy, is currently underway in response to this commitment. This is an important priority for me as Minister of State with special responsibility for Disability.

The aim of the Autism Innovation Strategy is to identify the bespoke challenges and barriers faced by Autistic and Neurodivergent people across Ireland and to deliver tangible solutions to address those challenges. The Strategy will focus on specific areas that may not be addressed by other national strategies and frameworks.

I have been very clear from the outset that I want Autistic people, their families and supporters to be at the centre of the development process for the Autism Innovation Strategy and of monitoring implementation of the Strategy once adopted.

A number of steps have been taken to progress development of the Autism Innovation Strategy and to seek the views of the Autistic community to date. This included an initial public consultation in April 2022. A report analysing and summarising the output of this consultation was published in April 2023. The views of those who contributed to the consultation will be carefully considered as part of the drafting process for the Strategy.

I also launched a process to appoint the Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group in June 2022. This group will play a key role in monitoring implementation of the Strategy and providing oversight and critical, constructive analysis based on the lived experience and expertise of group members.

During the selection process, careful attention was paid to ensuring that the group is majority Neurodivergent, and that the group is balanced and representative in terms of the different perspectives and experiences of group members.

The Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group was formally appointed and met for the first time in December 2022. The Group met most recently in April 2023. I was very happy to chair these meetings.

Following the appointment of the Oversight and Advisory Group and the publication of the initial public consultation report, my Department is currently engaged in bilateral negotiations across Government to discuss the findings of the public consultation and agree actions to be included within the Autism Innovation Strategy. I have set a 12-18 month timeline for delivery of these actions, so that the Strategy can complement other disability policy measures, and so that its focus will be on laying the groundwork for a more Autism inclusive society.

It is my intention to convene a further public consultation later in 2023 prior to the adoption of the Autism Innovation Strategy. This will give all interested stakeholders a further opportunity to have their say on the Strategy prior to its adoption.