Jan O'Sullivan
Question:463. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the expected publication date of an autism strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23165/17]
View answerTuesday, 16 May 2017
Questions (463)
Written answers
Since 1996 successive Governments have promoted the overarching principle governing the planning and delivery of health services and supports for adults and children with disabilities including autism of integration and mainstreaming, as much as possible, with services and supports for the rest of the population. The Government’s agenda in this regard is clearly set out in the current National Disability Strategy (NDS) which is based on a non-condition specific approach to the delivery of public services and the mainstreaming agenda.
The Department of Justice and Equality has responsibility for providing a focal point for the promotion and co-ordination of disability policy. In this context, the Department coordinated the development of a Programme of Additional Actions in relation to Autism in conjunction with the National Disability Authority through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform.
The Programme of Actions on Autism is in keeping with the cross disability, whole of government, social model of disability approach set out in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (2013-2016) but recognises that an increased understanding of autism across the public sector is required to ensure that the implementation of the NDSIP addresses the needs of people with autism on an equal basis to other people with disabilities.