Joint Committee on Autism to resume discussions on Autism Policy

• Representatives from Inclusion Ireland, Ms Derval McDonagh, CEO, Ms Angela Locke Reilly, Advocacy Project Worker, and Ms Sarah Jane Lavin, Director and self-advocate; and
• Dr Áine Roddy, Assistant Lecturer in Health Informatics & eHealth, Atlantic Technological University, ATU Sligo.

Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Micheál Carrigy said: “This meeting continues our examination of Autism Policy in Ireland and what Government, State bodies and wider society can do to create an inclusive environment for people with autism to make their lives easier and help assist them to reach their full potential.

“The Committee looks forward to welcoming Derval McDonagh, Angela Locke Reilly and Sarah Jane Lavin from Inclusion Ireland, which has undertaken important work in advocating for the rights of autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities to access the services that they need to participate fully in society. We look forward to hearing their views on how the State can better promote inclusivity in education and in other parts of our society.

“The Committee is also pleased to welcome Dr Áine Roddy of the Atlantic Technological University, whose work looks at the economic aspects of childhood autism and the financial implications for families where public services are not available to them. The Committee has heard from parents’ advocacy groups about the financial strain that many families experience and we are interested in hearing more from Dr Roddy about this issue.”

The Joint Committee on Autism has 12 Members, seven from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.