Joint Committee on Autism to meet in Seanad Chamber for discussions on ‘Public Concern regarding Services and Supports provided by State for Autistic People’

The meeting will be split into two sessions to hear from:

• 11am-1pm – Parents Representatives Groups;
• 2pm-4pm – Self-Advocacy Groups.

Committee Chair Senator Micheál Carrigy said: “The Committee has already discussed Autism Policy with Ministers, Government Departments, State bodies, trade unions, professional representative bodies, and from parents representatives, and from autistic people themselves.

“Based on what Members have heard at these meetings, the Joint Committee on Autism decided to hold a roundtable discussion on public concerns regarding services and supports provided by the State for autistic people.

“As Committee Rooms can only accommodate a limited number of representatives, the Committee would like to thank the Cathaoirleach, Senator Jerry Buttimer, for making the Seanad Chamber available for these discussions, and Seanad Leader Senator Lisa Chambers for moving the Order of Business, in order to give more people an opportunity to discuss autism in Ireland today.

“Those invited to attend the morning session includes parents representatives from around the country. The afternoon session will be open to autism self-advocates to let the Committee know what it is like for autistic people to live in Ireland today.

“The Committee hopes that this opportunity will enable Members to hear first-hand how autistic people and be empowered to lead a full life and take part in Irish society.”

The Joint Committee on Autism has 12 Members, seven from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in the Seanad Chamber can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.