Autism Bill progress
Catherine Murphy and Joan Burton questioned why the national autism strategy Bill was not advancing and highlighted unmet needs for children with autism and their families. The Taoiseach said it was awaiting Second Stage and that health legislation priorities were dominated by CervicalCheck measures; he also said the special-school issue had been examined.
Last week in the Seanad, the former Minister for Health, Senator Reilly, was critical of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, in regard to the lack of progression of the Bill dealing with the national autism strategy which was unanimously passed in the Seanad. The inadequacy of autism services is an issue raised continually with Members in their constituency offices. This is not an area in respect of which remedial action can be taken as, very often, there is a window of educational opportunity. Why is the Bill not being progressed? If it were progressed in isolation from the resources would it make the difference as stated in Senator Reilly's remarks?
Comment on this
As the Taoiseach will be aware, in his and my constituency, Dublin West, there have been meetings of hundreds of parents who have children affected by autism and behavioural disorders. We have put a proposal to Government regarding provision of a special facility for children on the high end of the autism spectrum who, by and large, cannot find places in the ASD special classes because their needs are at a very high level.
Has the Government any proposals to address the needs of these parents and children who need very good services so that they can be facilitated in their education and in their capacity in terms of language and other issues?
Comment on this
I understand the legislation to which Deputy Catherine Murphy referred is awaiting Second Stage. For reasons of which the House will be aware, we have only been able to prioritise six items of legislation for this session through to the end of March. The decision in the Department of Health, which I believe was the right one, was to prioritise the legislation on CervicalCheck and establishment of the tribunal to hear cases. That is being given priority in terms of health legislation.
On the issue of a special school in Dublin 15, the National Council for Special Education has examined this and has formed a view that a special school is warranted in the Dublin 15 area. The exact form that should take is still a matter for discussion in terms of whether it should be autism-specific or for all children who have profound special needs and cannot be accommodated in the existing schools.