Pam Lewis
South Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Indeed, I thank her for the assistance that she, as Minister of Justice, gave my constituents Kathryn and Aaron McCollum following the tragic death of their much-loved husband and father. Her assistance was deeply appreciated.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I very much welcome the amendment to the Justice Bill on this subject, and I thank my colleagues across the Chamber for the good work that they have done on it. What cost is the PSNI carrying for the seizure, storage and disposal of those vehicles? Is that cost creating a barrier to enforcement?”
“It progresses 18 recommendations from the independent review of charity regulation, with a focus on a more risk-based approach that promotes trust and accountability without placing undue burdens on charities.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak as a member of the Communities Committee at Second Stage of the Charities (Amendment) Bill. I thank the Minister and the Chair of the Committee for outlining the details of the Bill.”
“The public must have confidence that charitable funds are being used properly, that trustees understand their responsibilities and that there is effective oversight when misconduct or mismanagement occurs.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the streamlining of accounting and reporting requirements. For small charities, administration can be a real challenge and burden.”
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“<BR /> <BR />As a representative of South Antrim, the home of Northern Ireland's number-one snooker player, Mark Allen, I welcome the resumption of snooker, pool and darts. Those much-enjoyed sports and pastimes of many people contribute to the local economy. <BR /> <BR />As we continue to plot a road map to complete our return to much-loved ways of life that we all took for granted but do not take for granted any more, it is important to emphasise that the easements impact not only our industries and economy but our general health and well-being. Over the course of the pandemic, we have become increasingly aware of the impact of restrictions on our mental well-being. The continued progression back to a normal way of life will be welcomed by so many who have been devastated by the pandemic.”
“The lifting of those restrictions will help to stimulate our wedding and entertainment industries and will have a real, meaningful impact on families. Families will once again be able to gather to dance and celebrate with their loved ones. The amendment lifting the necessity to wear a face covering while dancing at a reception is, of course, a welcome part of that. There are also important easements for our wider hospitality industry. The change in the rules on table service is most welcome and, again, reflects a changing dynamic in the course of the pandemic. Removing the requirement to obtain a ticket and have an allocated seat in advance of an indoor theatre or concert event will help to stimulate our arts and entertainment sectors, providing not only employment across Northern Ireland but much-needed nights of enjoyment and laughter.”
“It is essential that we support our businesses and encourage them to progress out of the restrictions safely, recognising that healthy businesses and a healthy economy contribute to better health overall. The hospitality, entertainment and photography jobs that those businesses sustain are vital for our economy. The jobs that they provide are also the first jump into paid employment for many young people. We must support those businesses as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. The amendment before us today, therefore, helping the industry return to some more industry norms, will help. <BR /> <BR />The lifting of restrictions on dancing and music at wedding and civil partnership ceremonies is welcome.”
“The amendments are particularly welcome in the main. They help some of the sectors hit hardest during the pandemic to take the next strides forward in their recovery. As my party's health spokesperson, I recognise the complex relationship between health and the economy and the need to ensure that we strike a balance between supporting our businesses so that they can flourish once again and continuing to put the necessary measures in place to protect our health and our health service. <BR /> <BR />Our wedding industry has been decimated, and the loss of income at some wedding venues across Northern Ireland has been counted in seven-figure sums. Some are family-owned businesses in my area of South Antrim.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer, which leads me nicely to my supplementary question. Another issue in relation to these trials is the unacceptable delays in the legal process. Does she have any plans to help our under-resourced judicial system to ensure that it is well staffed and equipped to provide timely progress in cases?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. The public want to see visible policing on the ground and in communities, providing reassurance, building relationships and deterring crime. Does the Minister agree that much more effort is required to increase neighbourhood policing teams and ensure that there are more officers on the ground and on the streets?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The animal cruelty register is a very important subject. I would like to see one come into operation. Would the Minister like to expand on any conversations that he has had with the Minister of Justice and tell us more about any issues that have arisen through those conversations?”
“There is a need to ensure a collaborative and joined-up approach to that among health services. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, it is vital that the process be robust and helps to secure happy outcomes for all those involved. We understand that the process to reach that goal is complex, as is the law around it. The process must therefore be right.”
“<BR /> <BR />The specific provision in clause 5 inserting the right to an assessment for post-adoption services is a welcome step forward as well. It is important that we take a holistic and rounded approach to how we support adopted children and those who adopt. It is vital that ongoing support be available to help all parties to adapt to their new life. By ensuring that such support is in place, better outcomes will undoubtedly be supported. <BR /> <BR />We point out the need to ensure that the plans to place duties on trusts to provide information places sufficient focus on issues such as advance consent for adoption. We want to ensure that those who are pregnant are able to make fully informed decisions regarding adoption at an earlier stage.”
“It is right that adopted persons are able to access information on their birth families. The Bill makes provision for that information to be retained, updated and accessed. <BR /> <BR />The provision in the Bill for an independent review mechanism against adoption panel determinations is welcome. The opportunity to dig deeper into the potential eligibility criteria for requesting such a review and the provision of an overview of how appeals or complaints by prospective adopters are dealt with presently are positive steps forward and help the entire process to become more robust. It is right that those who have invested so much time and emotion in the process have that right of appeal and that it is dealt with independently.”
“There is a need to address children's advocates and health professionals' concerns that the concept might ultimately be used as a cost-saving measure. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will strengthen the provisions for looked-after children and care leavers, by extending the age of entitlement to 25, placing an emphasis on corporate parenting and promoting educational achievement. We welcome those provisions. There is a need to support every child, regardless of their pathway or circumstances. <BR /> <BR />The proposal to establish adoption registers covering contact with children currently on an adoption pathway raises issues about data protection and safeguarding. It is important that those provisions be evidence based and rights compatible, particularly where prospective adopters are to be granted access.”
“<BR /> <BR />The inclusion of a new duty to consider dually approved carers in adoption decisions is a positive step forward and as the potential to reduce the number of moves a child has to make and to promote continuity of care and circumstances for those involved. We recognise that not every child will want to go down the route of adoption, and, in some cases, a secure placement, such as a special guardianship order, may benefit their long-term well-being. <BR /> <BR />At every stage, the welfare and wishes of the child must be taken into account. However, the arrangement does not extinguish the legal link to birth parents, and there are issues in relation to that that warrant further investigation.”
“Research by the Northern Ireland strand of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) found that some adoptive parents feel a sense of pressure from courts to facilitate face-to-face contact and are fearful that any opposition to that could harm the status of their application. Therefore, I welcome clause 135, which enshrines the principle that contact can be refused between a child and their birth parent if such contact is not consistent with a child's safeguarding or well-being. I thank Women's Aid Northern Ireland for its contribution on the issue. It emphasised the need to focus on domestic and sexual violence as a key safeguarding issue, and I also welcome the protection against the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation.”
“<BR /> <BR />A vital aspect of that will involve drawing on the extensive expertise of the third sector; therefore, giving trusts the option to engage with voluntary adoption agencies that are registered with RQIA to draw on their extensive expertise is a much-needed move forward. However, it is important to learn from the difficulties in implementing similar legislation elsewhere. The Northern Ireland Association of Social Workers (NIASW) has highlighted that the local authorities in Scotland have had difficulties in fully funding the adoption support aspects of the 2007 Act there, so I look forward to engagement with the Minister on how that aim will be best achieved. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has the highest levels of post-adoption contact in the UK.”
“<BR /> <BR />When we consider that most children going through this process are from the care system and the hurt and harm they will have been subjected to in their short lives, we see that we should be seeking to find them that caring, loving home in a timely manner. It is good to see the provisions of the Bill that place a duty on trusts to provide information about the types of adoption and support services that are available in their areas, and it is particularly welcome that adoption support will incorporate financial support and access to counselling along with advice and information relating to adoption.”
“Current targets suggest that 90% of all adoptions in Northern Ireland for children in care should take place within three years of their last entry to care. However, as we are aware, that target has not been met for several years. Timescales for that process must be urgently and sustainably addressed. The provision of tools to allow courts to take that forward by imposing time limits on proceedings is extremely welcome. It would be interesting to know whether there will be accompanying training requirements for those in the judiciary to deliver on that aim. I welcome the statutory principle to prevent delay with the requirement for courts to drop timetables for resolving cases, as we all recognise the negative impact delay has on a child's welfare.”
“Vital aspects of that include ascertaining a child's wishes where appropriate before decisions are made and ensuring that better support is available in court proceedings. <BR /> <BR />Over recent years, there has been a decline in the number of adopters coming forward. Interestingly, reports suggest that that trend was reversed during the pandemic, so we need to seize on that and promote legislation that radically improves efficiency at every stage of the adoption and fostering process. <BR /> <BR />One of the biggest challenges we face is reducing the time it takes to complete the process. Our timescales are much longer than those elsewhere in the UK. The proposal to enable courts to impose time limits on adoption proceedings is a constructive step toward addressing unnecessary delays in the process.”
“I know of many families who have adopted children and offered them secure, safe, happy and loving homes, yet those parents testify to an arduous process that has so many obstacles and moments of false hope, where hope can be dashed and those without the greatest patience and determination will give up. I also know people who just could not take the process any longer but who would make fantastic parents. We need to ensure that the law encourages those people while providing all the necessary protections to keep children safe. <BR /> <BR />The DUP strongly supports the overriding aim of the Bill, which is to place the welfare of the child at the heart of every stage of the adoption process.”
“It will, of course, require detailed scrutiny and effective and regular engagement with advocates, health professionals and representatives of looked-after children. The Bill will supersede a significant number of other pieces of legislation that make up the adoption framework. It is important that, in streamlining the Bill into a new framework, there are no unintended consequences.”
“I, too, want to express my solidarity with the Minister of Health in the face of the abhorrent threats that he has had to endure in recent days. <BR /> <BR />My party and I welcome the debate on the general principles of the Adoption and Children Bill. It is a long-awaited Bill. Current legislation is almost 35 years old. It is, however, an advantage to have the experience of the English, Welsh and Scottish legislative changes and, hopefully, to learn from their experiences in a positive way. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is a huge piece of proposed legislation, with 160 clauses and five schedules. It will undoubtedly be a challenge to scrutinise and process it in what is left of the mandate. It is an extremely comprehensive and sensitive piece of draft legislation.”
“I thank the Minister for making himself available to the House this afternoon. As is well-documented, the DUP has been a consistent and passionate pro-life voice. Women who find themselves in the most difficult circumstances should, of course, be able to avail themselves of independent and non-directive advice on the support that is available to them, but at the heart of the matter must be a balanced appreciation that there are alternative routes for pregnancy, including adoption and fostering. In light of that, will the Minister outline how the British Pregnancy Advisory Service will operate differently, if at all, from the Informing Choices NI model? Will he confirm whether an equivalent central access point has been established for pregnant women who are seeking to give advance consent to adoption?”
“When the original Autism Act of 2011 was developed, there appeared to be a general preference for "Person first" terminology, that is describing someone as "a person with autism". More recent research has indicated that autistic people would prefer to be referred to as "autistic" rather than as "a person with autism". As "Person first" language was used to write the original Autism Act, the Autism (Amendment) Bill had to use the same language; otherwise, it would have had to be repealed and re-enacted. <BR /> <BR />I kindly ask Members to put their support behind the principles of the Bill and commit to making changes for our autism community.”
“As a result of the drive for effectiveness and practicality, I proposed an autism reviewer that adopts a reviewer model. I have previously used the mental health champion and the UK's Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation as examples. The goal is to have a scrutiny mechanism independent from the Department of Health that is effective in promoting and ensuring change and effective practice. The role should be filled by an appropriate individual and be cost-effective. <BR /> <BR />I want to put on record and briefly address the Bill's use of language when discussing autism. I understand that there has been much debate about how people should talk about autism. The general rule is to ask a person how they prefer to be referred to.”
“We concluded that we did not need someone to speak for the autism community: we needed someone to scrutinise the autism strategy's implementation and success. We need someone to commission independent research and to scrutinise practice, provision and the effectiveness of services. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate that the public consultation found that 92% of respondents supported the need for an independent scrutiny mechanism, as they believe that scrutiny, transparency and research in relation to autism services are currently inadequate. Importantly, it is proposed that the reviewer produce for the Department an annual report that must be presented to the Assembly. In understanding the core needs and functions of a scrutiny mechanism, I tried to be practical in understanding the current situation.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Cara Hunter for raising the issue of the detrimental impact of waiting lists on achievement right into adulthood and for her comments welcoming an autism reviewer to hold the Department to account. <BR /> <BR />I also acknowledge the contributions from Paula Bradshaw and Gerry Carroll. Paula raised questions around workforce planning, and, as she noted, that is, perhaps, a discussion more appropriate for Committee Stage. However, I acknowledge her contribution and recognise that that is an important discussion to be had. <BR /> <BR />When initially discussing the autism reviewer, we discussed the possibility of an autism advocate, something similar to a commissioner model.”
“The areas that I have discussed, particularly a focus on adequate training, the introduction of an early intervention service and recent robust research on best practice, will help provide solutions to that issue. The Committee and I will, however, be open to further discussions on the topic should the Bill progress to the next stage. <BR /> <BR />I thank Chris Lyttle for his support and contributions to the debate and, of course, his contributions as a member of the all-party group on autism. I recognise his suggestion that sports coaching be integrated into clause 2, which discusses training opportunities, and I would welcome further discussion on that topic at Committee Stage, should the Bill progress.”
“<BR /> <BR />The requirement for the staff of all NI Departments and public bodies to receive autism training, the introduction of an early intervention service, the requirement for regional consistency across trusts, the requirement for an autism reviewer able to scrutinise best international practice relating to autism and the commissioning of independent research will all go a long way to improving the emotional, social and educational difficulties felt by many autistic children and young people. <BR /> <BR />I also thank Nicola, Gerry Carroll and other Members for raising the current issues of restraint and seclusion in schools.”
“Pat also noted that, despite vast amounts of investment, the Education Authority (EA) and the Department of Education struggle to demonstrate value for money. That again demonstrates the need for the independent scrutiny that the proposed autism reviewer would carry out. <BR /> <BR />Nicola Brogan asked how the Bill addressed the educational needs of children and young people. She spoke about shortened school days and reduced timetables for autistic pupils.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Daniel McCrossan, Alan Chambers, Peter Weir, Nicola Brogan, Justin McNulty, Robbie Butler, Pat Sheehan, Chris Lyttle and Cara Hunter. We also had a contribution from Gerry Carroll, along with one from the Minister of Health at the end. I thank them for outlining the needs that they have been made aware of in their constituencies and in their personal lives for further raising awareness of the wider issues that we are here to address and for their words of support for the Bill's principles. <BR /> <BR />I welcome comments from Members such as Pat Sheehan, who called for increased interdepartmental cooperation. The needs of autistic people are not limited to the Department of Health.”
“RaISe has explained that the only two models that it is aware of that have lower comparative costs are the mental health champion and the UK terrorism legislation reviewer. <BR /> <BR />Colm also mentioned the costs of implementing an early intervention service. Although we do not have the costings for that service, research has consistently shown that early intervention is essential to bringing about the best outcomes. Thanks to the work of RaISe, we have further research that demonstrates that the economic costs of not acting are greater than those of intervening, as costs are deferred until further down the line, when individuals need access to more complex services to meet their needs.”
“I will address some of those concerns immediately. I thank the Chair of the Health Committee, Colm Gildernew, for his contribution and words of support. I will now address his query on research to outline the potential costs from the Bill, which the vice chair of the all-party group on autism, Cathal Boylan, echoed. When presenting at the Health Committee last week, I explained that we were waiting for research from the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe). I can confirm that we requested research from RaISe that explored the potential costs of a reviewer model. Originally, the research was considering the costs of a commissioner model, which is not comparable to the reviewer model that we propose, as it would be much more expensive. We asked RaISe to amend the research to compare with a reviewer model.”
“I also thank Members for raising real, practical issues and asking how those will be addressed in the Bill. The Bill was developed out of a practical need for change and improvement for our autism community. It was developed after a large public consultation that received over 1,800 responses. It is vital that the spirit of consultation with those who have knowledge and experience continues, and that is why I have reached out to grassroots organisations that are involved with autism. I have asked them to respond to the Health Committee's call for evidence should the Bill pass its Second Stage. I encourage other Members and parties with an interest in autism to respond to the call for evidence. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that some Members have raised concerns, and I thank them for their valuable contributions to the debate.”
“<BR /> <BR />All of those measures are needed to tackle the urgent difficulties, such as waiting lists, access to services and health inequalities, resulting from the current inconsistency of services that Members such as Cara Hunter touched on, whereby those in the rural and most deprived areas are least likely to have access to the support and services that they need.”
“To briefly summarise again, the Bill aims to make practical changes to improve autistic lives by appointing an independent autism reviewer to ensure scrutiny and accountability of the autism strategy; ensuring that the needs of autistic adults are met in terms of lifelong learning, employment support, recreation, well-being and supported living; creating a regional early intervention service; introducing an information service and helpline for autistic individuals and their families, carers and professionals; providing training to all NI Departments and public bodies; ensuring that the Department of Health's approach to autism considers best international practice and is multidisciplinary and consistent across all health and social care trusts; providing autism prevalence data for adults as well as children; setting measurable targets to judge the success of the autism strategy; and providing an annual report to the Assembly that details how autism funding is allocated.”
“I also thank the secretariat of the all-party group on autism, which is provided by Autism NI, for their tireless efforts and the efforts that they put into developing the Autism Act and the Autism (Amendment) Bill. I also thank and acknowledge our other autism charities and organisations for their work throughout Northern Ireland and all those who too often provide lifelines to families that are desperately in need of help and support. Finally, I thank the Health Minister for attending the entirety of the debate and for his good wishes for the Bill. I look forward to working with him and his Department as we progress the Bill further. <BR /> <BR />As we are all too aware, this Bill is about addressing the ways in which we have failed our autism community.”
“I again thank all past and present Members, and, of course, the all-party group on autism, for their efforts in passing the original Autism Act, which was, and remains, a landmark piece of legislation. <BR /> <BR />I am here to ask you to support the principles of the Autism (Amendment) Bill. The Bill aims to strengthen the original Autism Act to ensure that we do better for our autism community. I state my thanks and appreciation to all those Members who have stated their support for the Bill and to the all-party group on autism. They have all contributed to the progression of the Bill to this stage. <BR /> <BR />I extend enormous thanks to the Bill Office for its devotion and support throughout the process and, of course, to the drafter of the Bill.”
“These measures, and the accountability that will be generated from the requirement that is placed on the Department to submit an annual autism funding analysis to the Assembly, will address proven concerns over the lack of objective scrutiny, accountability and motivation in the implementation of autism legislation. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Autism (Amendment) Bill to the House.”
“The introduction of the Autism (Amendment) Bill, which has cost implications at this time, must be conducted with sensitivity and realism. The reality must be balanced by the awareness that the Autism Act (NI) 2011 was impacted upon by the caution that was generated by the banking crisis and recovery measures. The failure to address funding implications or to agree an incremental funding plan impacted negatively on the implementation of the 2011 Act. <BR /> <BR />In response, I propose the appointment of an autism reviewer with a budget allocation similar to that of the mental health champion but with duties that protect the independence of that post from departmental influence or interference. A budget for research is an essential component in order to guarantee service and cost effectiveness.”
“The duties of the autism reviewer will be to monitor the effectiveness of the Northern Ireland autism strategy and advise the Assembly; to assess the effectiveness of the funding arrangements in respect of autism; to review the adequacy and effectiveness of the law and practice relating to autism; to review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for autistic individuals and their families; to commission independent research; and to issue an annual report to the Department, which must be laid before the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Finally, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the particular pressures that are being faced by Departments as a consequence of the current pandemic. Specifically, I am aware of the long-standing failure to invest in the future of our national health and social care service.”
“This amendment will address the previous failure by all Departments to bid for investment to progress the Northern Ireland autism strategy. It will also evidence the matching of data against investment; for example, whether a rising prevalence of autism is being matched by rising investment. <BR /> <BR />Clause 5, "Autism reviewer", will introduce a requirement to set up an independent scrutiny mechanism, which will be known as the autism reviewer.”
“<BR /> <BR />Along with the general duty to consult that is introduced in clause 1, clause 3 includes a specific obligation to consult organisations when setting measurable targets. The autism strategy must be developed in consultation with the autism community. Nobody knows the needs of the autism community better than our autistic people and their families, as well as the voluntary and community sector that represents them. Over the past 10 years, that consultation has not happened. <BR /> <BR />Clause 4, "Annual autism funding reports", places a requirement on the Minister to lay a report before the Assembly from all Departments, setting out how funding for autism has taken account of the NI autism strategy, the needs of autistic individuals, the current prevalence rates and the potential for partnerships with autism rights bodies.”
“<BR /> <BR />Clause 3, "Methodology of the autism strategy", places a duty on the Department to ensure regional consistency of practice, which will be vital to ensure the success of other, aforementioned components of the autism strategy, such as an early intervention service. Clause 3 also outlines how the autism strategy must have measurable targets and outcomes to measure effectiveness, which speaks for itself. Ultimately, any truly effective strategy must be measurable in order to assess success and what improvements and changes need to be made to achieve overall aims. The strategy should be the basis for ongoing transparency and accountability and will be an essential tool for the autism reviewer.”
“Only 16% of autistic adults are in full-time employment, which is less than half of the total figure of those in the disability sector. We can all agree that that is an area that needs to be invested in and developed further. <BR /> <BR />Social opportunities are also needed as so many adults feel misunderstood, alone and unsupported. That is evidenced by the stark fact that an autistic adult is nine times more likely to commit suicide than a neurotypical adult. The lack of support services and opportunities may be contributing to that terrible statistic. Again, many families have contacted me to seek support for their autistic adult children, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. They deserve to be supported to reach their full potential and engage in the community and the workforce in a fulfilling and meaningful way.”
“I am sure that other Members can sympathise with families who have come to them in desperation for advice and support. Numerous families have come to me and asked where to access support, how to access the right type of support and how to access services after diagnosis. Some families do not know where to go, but, more worryingly, others have tried to seek support but have been failed by the lack of an accessible information service. <BR /> <BR />Clause 2 also outlines how adult services need to be developed while considering core areas of need. It proposes the development of a regionally consistent range of adult support services. The extension of data for autistic adults will improve the capacity to map need.”
“There are fantastic best-practice models locally that need to be tapped into and delivered regionally. Most importantly, a regionally consistent early intervention service will ensure that families receive the right guidance, help and support when they need it to help to put an end to the current postcode lottery of support. <BR /> <BR />Clause 2 proposes the development of a regional information service. As the prevalence rates of autism have risen, so has the imminent need for information and support. A regional information service will ensure consistency of advice and signpost autistic adults and families to local services in their areas. It should be available through a number of media to accommodate different circumstances — for example, via telephone, in person or virtually.”
“Mental health issues in the autism community are often misdiagnosed due to poor communication and understanding between patients and practitioners. Mental health treatment needs to be adapted for autistic individuals. Those working with autistic individuals in Departments and public bodies need to be adequately trained in autism if we are to improve the everyday experience of our autistic colleagues, friends and family members. <BR /> <BR />Clause 2 also expands the autism strategy to include the development of a regionally consistent early intervention service that will ensure that regionally consistent ethics and practice feed into the autism training strategy. We all know that early intervention works. It is also cost-effective, as it reduces later dependency on core services.”
“It will also enhance workforce professional development and introduce a tiered strategy, from basic awareness training for the many to targeted accredited training for the few. Two of the most obvious examples will be training for all teaching staff in Northern Ireland as well as mental health professionals who work with autistic people. <BR /> <BR />Recent research demonstrates the difficulties that those with autism are more likely to experience. Suicide is the leading cause of death in the autism community. An autistic child is 28 times more likely to consider or attempt suicide than his or her non-autistic peers. Autistic adults are nine times more likely to die by suicide than neurotypical adults. Autistic women are more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic women. Approximately one in five women with anorexia is autistic.”
“Clause 1, "Autism strategy: consultations and data", expands the duties of the Department of Health to gather autism prevalence data on adults as well as on children. Currently, Department of Health data focuses on children only, but we need to gather adult data to aid future planning and service provision for our autistic adult population. We have no idea of the number of autistic adults; therefore, it is imperative that we develop our data collection systems further. Clause 1 also introduces a duty for the Department to consult more widely. <BR /> <BR />Clause 2, "Additional components of autism strategy", expands the autism strategy to include the development of an autism training plan for staff across Departments and public bodies. That will reduce duplication and increase consistency, coordination and competency across agencies.”
“<BR /> <BR />There are eight clauses in the Bill. The last three refer to the interpretation, commencement and short title of the Bill; therefore, I do not feel that they need further explanation. I will now give a summary of the remaining five clauses and outline the reasoning behind them.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is also a financial cost to the public purse that can largely be summarised in the current costs associated with waste and duplication: duplication due to the lack of consistency and coordination across our health and social care trusts and our Departments and waste due to the failure to utilise and integrate the expertise in the autism advocacy sector through service development and funding partnerships. <BR /> <BR />All those critical issues indicate that the Autism Act (NI) 2011 must be strengthened. The Autism (Amendment) Bill would build on the 2011 Act by introducing measures to remove the existing barriers to the full implementation of the law. Crucially, we need an independent scrutiny mechanism to drive forward future Northern Ireland autism strategies. That should be in the form of an autism reviewer.”