Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
70. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the autism innovation strategy working group; the key priorities for the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36345/21]
View answerMy colleague, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte T.D., recently announced her intention to establish a Working Group to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy.
The focus of the strategy in the short term will be to deliver real and tangible solutions to the challenges, needs and experiences of people with autism.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will be cross departmental in nature as autism innovation is not solely an issue to be addressed with health supports but one which requires a more holistic approach to be taken.
Minister Rabbitte intends to set up an Autism Innovation Strategy Working Group, which will seek to develop this Strategy and will chair this Working Group once established. The intention is that the Working Group is to be formed in September of this year. The Working Group will then begin work on identifying achievable and practical actions around a framework being developed by the Minister and officials. The Strategy will then launch in January 2022.
It is the intention that, in line with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there will be consultation and participation of people with disabilities in the development of the strategy.
