Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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40. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans for new therapies for autism to be used in the public health sector; if so, when it is hoped that they will be available for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26056/24]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister of State have any plans for new therapies to be used? The question submitted stated "in the public health sector", but I mean across the board. We have spoken before about getting the best bang for buck. It is two things. We all know we need speech and language therapy, OT and other services. We need to put them where we get the best bang for buck along with any assistive technologies that can also be used.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Both the Government and the HSE acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced with the delivery of therapies for children with autism and their families. Disability services are provided based on the presenting needs of an individual assessment according to the person’s requirements and care needs. The HSE is focused on implementing the actions of the PDS roadmap which will target enhancing capacity in our health service to deliver much needed therapies, including to those with autism.

With specific regard to therapies, the HSE provides information and training to carers and staff in the management of behaviours, such as de-escalation intervention techniques and positive behaviour supports, in addition to clinical therapies including OT, physio and speech and language therapy. Equine therapy, art therapy, pet therapy and music therapy are among the range of offerings now available. I would like to expand the conversation on equine therapy. I know I have two Cork TDs behind me. I first saw equine therapy in Liskennett. It is a phenomenal service involving 600 children each week accessing equine therapy with 20 ponies. That is a regional centre and we are looking at doing one in Stewarts Care in Kilcloon and one in Toghermore in Galway.

Equine therapy, art therapy and music therapy bring in other disciplines. It is a finite resource where we need to look at the training and skill sets. Children's advancement by doing alternative therapy of expression is a game changer and can add huge value to de-escalating young people's agitation. We also have the Cubbie in some libraries here in Dublin. It was designed in Mayo and is in 320 facilities in Ireland and the UK where children are allowed to sit in a little space with the music, colouring and lights to meet their needs.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I will break this into two parts. There is assessment and then ensuring there are therapies. We know a workforce planning piece needs to be done. I do not know how many times I have said that even if we get that piece right, it will take a number of years to have everybody in place, involving CDNTs, primary care and all the rest of it. We need to find the best means to provide the best service to the children and their families. There is that piece and also the assistive technologies particularly when we are talking about non-verbal children and AAC. Beyond that, I know of people who have tried experimental therapies, if I may use that term. This is occupational therapy and speech and language therapy but further enhanced. Some of this is operated in labs, for want of a better term, abroad. It is just looking into what the best practice is.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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When looking at the alternatives, the Deputy is right about the AAC devices. That is why we funded AsIAm this year to purchase more assistive technology devices. The HSE and the Department of Education are purchasing in whole. AsIAm will purchase the guts of 600 devices to be made available to children. Not only will they be made available to children, but they will also be enhanced with speech and language as part and parcel of it.

The Deputy and I are very aware of the trikes. It is important this evening to acknowledge the role of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. When I could not get funding initially, he co-funded with me to ensure I could have trikes. Trikes provide alternative occupational therapy. I know they are available in Dundalk cycling club. They are phenomenal and allow people to experience greenways and walkways while also getting into the mobility piece.

The last piece is the role of the assistant therapist. We should focus on that in the next part of the Deputy's contribution.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I hope he was not out canvassing on his trike.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I would say he would.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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As it has been brought up, I commend the work of the Louth Disability Cycling Club. I should particularly mention Gary Shields, the chair, along with Paul Callan, Paul Newman and the rest of the guys who do great work. It is one of the most impressive things I have seen in a long time. It brings families together and is brilliant. They would always commend the work done by Variety and the Minister of State has her own connection there. That is absolutely brilliant and the more, the merrier. We can never have enough bikes. More children and families come every week to use that service.

I have had families come to me who have kids with autism and Down's syndrome who have used particular technologies abroad that assist speech and language, and occupational therapy in particular. I have spoken at the disability matters committee about how this needs to be teased out. I would like to send some of this information on to the Minister of State. If it works, we should use it.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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My own connection with Variety is that I fund them. For clarity, it is the guts of €440,000 annually.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Personally.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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It is from the Department, thanks to the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. We play an important role. It is also important to inform the House that in recent weeks, we signed an agreement with the WHO, which has given us a lever into the next five years of assistive technology and looking at best practices, new models and how we can partner with a larger grouping to see where the best models for intervention are available in assistive technologies. If the Deputy has other suggestions, I would love to sit down and discuss them with him. We could perhaps also organise a meeting the next time members of the WHO are here to continue that dialogue.