Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
595. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made to implement a national training programme for clinicians working with people with autism. [36219/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was pleased to launch the Autism Innovation Strategy on 26th August. This Strategy provides a strong framework for cross-government action on autism which can make real improvements in the lives of autistic people throughout the country.
A strong focus of the Strategy is improved autism training and understanding for workers across the public sector, including among healthcare workers.
Action 7 of the Strategy commits to the development and promotion of an autism training framework for professionals working with autistic people in the Health Service Executive, in Section 38 and Section 39 organisations, and in Tusla, Child and Family Agency. This effort will be led by the HSE and will be supported by my Department. This training will promote neuro-affirmative models of practice by staff in the health and social care sector.
The initial focus for this action will explore making this training mandatory for certain priority staff groups who work closely with autistic people. To ensure that the training responds appropriately to the needs and preferences of autistic people, the training will be co-designed, co-developed and co-delivered with autistic people.
The Autism Innovation Strategy is an ambitious strategy, with over 80 actions to be delivered in an 18-month period, covering areas such as health and social care, education, autism training and awareness, among others which arose in consultations. Its focus is on delivering clear and tangible improvements to the lives of autistic people and their families, laying the foundations for a more autism inclusive Ireland.
Following publication of the Strategy, my attention has now turned towards implementation. I will continue to drive progress for autistic people over this implementation period, including by improving the availability of autism training for our public sector professionals.
