Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
487. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has plans to collect disaggregated data for the purposes of forward-planning for the autistic community; if so, if his Department will consult with the autistic community and their families to establish how best to implement this plan; and the estimated cost of collecting this data. [51940/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to action on autism. The development of a new national strategy, the Autism Innovation Strategy, is currently underway. This is an important priority for me as Minister of State.
An important issue raised in the public consultation to assist development of the strategy was the need to improve the collection of data on autism to inform the delivery of services and supports. While actions in the strategy, and the costs of delivering such actions, are still being finalised at present, it is anticipated that actions will be advanced under the strategy which will seek to provide a foundation for improved data collection and research in relation to autism. Delivery of actions under the strategy will be carried out in close consultation with the autistic community and their families.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will identify ways to address the bespoke challenges and barriers faced by autistic people and provide the building blocks for a more autism-inclusive society. It will seek to provide for better mainstream understanding and accommodation of the needs of autistic people. The strategy will be cross-Government in nature and will take a holistic approach towards addressing these challenges in a way that complements and aligns with wider action on disability.
Development of the strategy is currently at an advanced stage with drafting of the strategy being finalised at present. This follows several months of engagements right across Government to agree a suite of clear, simple actions that can address gaps in existing supports and services for autistic people within an 18 month timeframe.
An initial public consultation was held in April/May 2022 to capture the views and priorities of the autistic community and their families. A report summarising this feedback received was published in April 2023. The findings of the public consultation are being carefully considered as part of the drafting process for the strategy.
Once drafting of the strategy is complete, there will be a further public consultation prior to the formal adoption of the Autism Innovation Strategy. It is my intention that implementation of the strategy will begin in early 2024 and that is the clear focus of work for my officials at present.
