Darren O'Rourke
Question:48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her plans to roll out a new autism protocol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46890/26]
View answerTuesday, 23 June 2026
Questions (48)
Written answers
On May 26th I was pleased to launch the new Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathway Protocol (Autism Protocol) with the HSE and my Government colleagues Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister for Disability, Emer Higgins.
The new protocol represents an important step in ensuring children and adults have access to appropriate and timely autism assessment processes.
The new protocol will, for the first time, provide a standardised assessment process across children’s disability network teams, primary care and mental health services.
Evidence tells us that some presentations of autism are easier to identify that others. Informed by this evidence the HSE have designed a protocol that will introduce a three-tiered approach to autism assessment
It will match the intensity of assessment to the complexity of the presentation, as decided by the assessing clinicians.
It is a pathway designed specifically for autism assessment, and this includes differential assessment and diagnosis, as required; as well as the development of a formulation to provide clearer understanding of the person’s lived experience, and the services and supports they require.
The Autism Protocol has been developed over a period of 5 years, with input from people with lived experience, civil society, all clinical disciplines involved in such assessments, as well as managers and service leaders across disability, primary care and mental health services.
To support implementation the Department secured funding in Budget 26 for In-Reach Teams, consisting of a Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist and an administrator. These teams will work with Health Areas to support and build capacity within community services, including mental health and primary care teams.
Implementation planning for the protocol within the regions will commence in Quarter 3 2026, to include relative briefing and training within the Regional Healthcare Areas
It is expected that when fully rolled out, each of the 20 Integrated Health Areas will have one established In-Reach Team. The final design and respective roles of the teams are currently being finalised. Recruitment for the In-Reach teams will commence in Quarter 3 to Quarter 4.
Whilst it is not possible quantity impact at this stage, it is anticipated that the successful implementation of the Autism Protocol will help to reduce demand for Assessments of Need, through the provision of a more direct and clearer path to Autism assessment for children and their families. Clearer access pathways through existing services, such as Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams and CAMHS, should provide parents with an appropriate route to such an assessment, rather than through the more complex Assessment of Need system.