Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013
213. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to support and or training programmes available, either wholly or partially, under the authority of his Department that assist persons with high functioning autism spectrum disorders to transition to supported employment once they reach age 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6133/13]
View answerThe HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, service users and families to identify the training needs of people with disabilities. The Occupational Guidance Officer provides one to one advice, support and guidance to enable individuals with a disability aged 16 to 65 years, including those with high functioning autism, to make an informed choice about their rehabilitative training and occupational options. The provision of work-related training is the responsibility of SOLAS and the Department of Education and Skills, while life-skills training and general day services are provided by the HSE.
The aim is to address the needs of individuals in one or more of the following ways:
- health-funded rehabilitative training;
- health-funded day services;
- SOLAS-funded vocational training; and
- and extension to education placement for a specified time.
The plan for each individual is dependent on:
- final decisions by service users where more than one service model may be considered;
- approval, if requested, to extend current educational placements; and
- capacity of providers to make best use of available resources.
Rehabilitative training is designed to equip participants with the basic personal, social and work-related skills that will enable them to progress to greater levels of independence and integration in the community. There are currently 98 people with high functioning autism attending RT programmes - 60 are aged 23 or under. Providers of RT programmes for people with autism include the National Learning Network, Tusicint, Kite and Advocates for Personal Potential.
An additional €4 million demographic funding has been allocated to the HSE in 2013 to address the needs of young people with disabilities who are due to leave school this year.
