Ministers Welcome Progress Of New Autism Bill

A new Bill to improve support for people with autism has passed the second stage in the Assembly.

South Antrim DUP representative and Chair of the all-party group on Autism, Pam Cameron, who proposed the Autism Private Members' Bill, has thanked MLA's for their support.

Speaking following the debate Mrs Cameron said: "I'm delighted that the Assembly has unanimously passed the second reading of my Autism Private Members' Bill.

"There is a clear need for this legislation to bring about positive reform of Autism services in Northern Ireland and build upon the foundations of the original Autism Act 2011.

"This Bill aims to address many of the issues our Autism community are facing, including waiting lists for diagnosis, timely access to services, lack of awareness and understanding of Autism, fair regional access to services, underinvestment and proper implementation of the Autism strategy. Through this legislation we also hope to be able to appoint an Autism Reviewer to scrutinise departments, commission independent research, review best practice and continue to advocate for the needs of autistic individuals to ensure we are drivers for change and improvement and do not continue to fail our autistic colleagues, friends and family.

"I wish to put on record my gratitude to MLAs across all parties for their support on the principles of the Bill as it passes this important stage in the legislative process. The Autism (amendment) Bill will now move on to the committee stage in October to go through more detailed scrutiny and to deal with many of the specifics of the legislation.

"I also want to thank Autism NI for their continued expert advice and support."

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan also welcomed the progress of the Bill: "I welcome progress on the Autism amendment Bill in the Assembly today.

"This legislation will help improve services for children and adults with autism right across our society.

"We are working to see delivery of a long-term autism strategy which is shaped by families, carers and people with autism to tackle waiting lists and ensure proper support is in place at all stages of life.

"Sinn Féin will meet with the Department of Health on Wednesday to discuss efforts to deliver on that and to discuss the interim autism strategy that they launched earlier this year."