Minister Norma Foley and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton have today reported on the progress being made in implementing the Autism Innovation Strategy, one year since it was published.

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The Autism Innovation Strategy is identifying and delivering tangible solutions to address the challenges faced by autistic people across Ireland. The strategy identifies simple, clear actions that can make a real difference to people’s lives, to be delivered over an 18-month period.

Speaking today, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:

“In 2024, Ireland became one of a small number of countries to publish a dedicated national strategy aimed at addressing gaps in services and supports for autistic people. We are now a year into the implementation of that Strategy and I am delighted to see the progress across Government to deliver on the promises which were made.

The HSE has developed and implemented new training for staff co-designed with, and delivered by, autistic people.

Our National Cultural Institutions are working intensively to ensure that autistic children, young people, and adults can experience them in a meaningful and accessible way.

Our national airports have introduced storyboards and sensory spaces. Quiet coaches have been added to more train services.

Where new public services are being created, the needs of autistic people are been specifically considered and their views are being sought to inform design.

I am also delighted and proud that Dublin is this year’s host city for the 14th Autism Europe International Congress. This event is not just a conference, it is a movement. It is a place where science meets society, where policy meets personal story, and where hope meets action.”

Implementation of the Autism Innovation Strategy is being monitored on an ongoing basis by a stakeholder led Oversight and Advisory Group. This group is comprised of individuals with lived experience of autism; autistic people, parents of autistic children, and professionals supporting autistic people.

Progress is being made across all thematic pillars of the Strategy with the vast majority of actions either on schedule or completed.

The Minister was speaking at the opening of the 14th Autism Europe International Congress, being hosted in Ireland. It takes place every three years, bringing together autistic people, researchers, policymakers, professionals and parents, and is dedicated to sharing advances in the practical and scientific knowledge of autism to as wide an audience as possible.

Hosted and organised by AsIAm, Ireland’s largest Autism advocacy organisation and charity, the congress is supported by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. The theme for the Congress is ‘Quality of Life – Research, Policy and Practice’, which was identified following a European-wide consultative process.

Also speaking following today’s Opening Ceremony, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, said:

“This Government’s vision, stated clearly in the Autism Innovation Strategy and reaffirmed in our Programme for Government, is a more inclusive society, where autistic people are understood and have equity of opportunity to participate in cultural, social and economic life and lead meaningful and fulfilled lives as valued members of the community.

The extensive public consultation process to develop the Autism Innovation Strategy identified gaps in health services and supports, access to education and employment, access to alternative communication methods, data and research, and a lack of understanding reflected in the approaches of some professionals. Government is absolutely committed to addressing these gaps.

I would also like to commend the organisers of this Congress, in particular Adam Harris and the team at AsIAm, for their efforts to bring this wonderful event to life.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

The Autism Innovation Strategy can be found on this link.

Autism Europe is an international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of autistic people and their families and to help them improve their quality of life. It ensures effective liaison among almost 90 member autism organisations from 40 European countries.

Every three years, Autism Europe organises an international congress in cooperation with a member organisation. These large international congresses are dedicated to sharing advances in the practical and scientific knowledge of autism to as wide an audience as possible, including autistic people, researchers, policymakers, professionals and parents.

The 14th Autism Europe International Congress is a three-day event which will take place in the RDS, Dublin from 11th to 13th September 2025, and is being hosted and organised by AsIAm.

AsIAm is Ireland’s national autism charity founded in 2014 by CEO Adam Harris. The purpose of AsIAm is to advocate for an inclusive society for autistic people that is accessible, accepting and affirming – A society in which every autistic person is accepted ‘as they are’ – equal, valued, and respected.

The theme for this year’s Congress is ‘Quality of Life – Research, Policy and Practice’, which was identified following a European-wide consultative process.

Many leading multidisciplinary experts in autism and autism issues will be invited to speak and present, and to share expertise and perspectives. A range of issues facing autistic people will be tabled for discussion including:

  • Improving physical and mental health
  • Ageing in autistic people
  • Vocation and employment
  • Creating safe and autism friendly environments
  • Accessing learning across the lifespan
  • Accessing housing and independent living
  • Autistic communication and autistic interaction
  • Advocacy and activism