Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to better meeting the needs of autistic people and their families in the State and I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a one stop shop to support the autistic community.

In the context of development of a new national strategy on autism, the Autism Innovation Strategy, consideration is being given to methods of providing enhanced information for autistic people and their families and improving the signposting of information. I intend to bring forward actions to improve information about autism and coordination between different services. I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a one stop shop, which supports the autism community.

While the Autism Innovation Strategy was in development prior to the publication of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism’s report, the Committee’s recommendations have been, and continue to be, carefully considered in the context of finalising the Autism Innovation Strategy.

The Autism Innovation Strategy will provide a framework for cross-government action on autism, which is designed to complement and enhance existing policy frameworks. The Strategy will seek to provide for better mainstream understanding and accommodation of the needs of autistic people across the public system over its 18-month lifespan. It will also seek to promote a more holistic and coordinated approach to services and supports for autistic people in the State.

A draft of the Autism Innovation Strategy was published in early February this year as part of a further public consultation to seek the views of the autistic community on the draft Autism Innovation Strategy before it is finalised and launched.

The draft Strategy was prepared based on feedback received as part of an initial public consultation held in 2022 and consultation with the Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group. Engagements were also undertaken with departments and agencies across Government to agree actions under the Strategy.

There was a very positive response to the public consultation, with over three hundred responses received. These responses are currently being collated and analysed. The Autism Innovation Strategy will be finalised on the basis of the feedback received.

It is my intention to launch the Autism Innovation Strategy in the coming weeks.