Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
547. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to develop further services and supports to address the needs of children and adults with autism who interact with her Department and its agencies; and if the implementation of such services will be informed by feedback from members of the autism community. [36234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that the range of services and supports we provide meet the needs of those who engage with my Department and its agencies.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy in March 2022. The Strategy aims to strengthen the Department’s capacity to promote equality, embrace diversity and foster inclusion, not only in our daily interactions and activities as colleagues, but also in the design & delivery of the services that we provide to the public.
Overall, the EDI Strategy prioritises three areas of focus for strategic impact:
- achieve better policy outcomes and improve the accessibility and quality of our services;
- support the development of a skilled and diverse workforce which is reflective of the diversity within our population / country; and
- build and embed a workplace culture which facilitates, supports and encourages contributions from all.
Each of these strategic outcomes are underpinned by a number of actions which my Department will implement over the lifetime of the EDI Strategy.
Improving the accessibility and quality of our services requires consideration of the varied requirements of our stakeholders including the importance of respecting neurodiversity and ensuring that my officials are suitably trained and equipped to provide an appropriate service to autistic people.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has an Access Officer, appointed in accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act. The Access Officer is responsible for providing, arranging or co-ordinating assistance to persons with disabilities who wish to access the services provided by my Department. The Access Officer also acts as a point of contact for persons with disabilities, including autistic people, who may wish to access such services
As part of building knowledge and awareness my Department held an information session for staff in April 2022 to mark Autism Awareness Month, which focused on neurodiversity in the workplace and supporting staff to understand the needs of neuro-diverse colleagues.
My Department also aims to roll out an e-learning module on the Just A Minute (JAM) Card for all staff this year. As the Deputy may be aware, the JAM Card allows people with specific communication requirements or barriers which might not be immediately apparent, such as Autism, to tell others that they need extra time and understanding in a discreet and easy way.
My Department is currently working with NOW Group to ensure this e-learning module is fully accessible with a screen reader. Once fully accessible, this JAM Card module will be made available to all staff across my Department. My Department will also make a module on disability equality awareness available to all staff when it is completed and launched by the National Disability Authority.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are aware of the need to be respectful in the area of neurodiversity and have developed specific training on autism awareness in order to ensure Gardaí are appropriately trained to interact with and support autistic people.
Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to use its governance engagement with agencies under its remit to promote awareness of accessibility issues and of the obligations arising for agencies under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
