New funding has been announced by Minister Anne Rabbitte for two AsIAm ‘Autism One Stop Shops’, including one in Galway.
The service will operate as a hub where autistic adults, children and their families can receive information and direct support.
This will add to the group-based and advisory supports already delivered by AsIAm nationally.
Minister Rabbitte said she was delighted to announce this funding for AsIAm as she wants to ensure greater supports are being provided to Autistic people and their families.
“These one stop shops will provide ‘drop in’ and structured supports for both Autistic individuals and groups and their families and enable people access to information on the right supports at the right time,” said the Galway East TD.
“I was keen to ensure that there would be one in the West, which will be in Galway, and then one in the east, which will be Dublin based.
“The exact location for Galway has yet to be pinned down but it will need to be easy to access for people in Galway, but also people who may be travelling from the likes of Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.”
Minister Rabbitte said the initiative has been developed while she continues working on the Autism Innovation Strategy, but as the One Stop Shops have to be staffed and opened, she was keen to advance this as quickly as possible to allow that preparation to begin.
“I look forward to working with both the HSE and AsIAm in rolling out these One Stop Shops, which will undoubtedly improve access to information and support for the Autistic community,” she said.
“We recognise the need for family-focused provision and acknowledge that the family is the primary educator, advocate and mentor for a child. This is a position adopted in both the 2012 National Review of Autism Services and the 2017 Review of Irish Health Services for Autistic Individuals.
“This will also address one of the core issues highlighted in the ‘Final Report of the Joint Committee on Autism’ published in 2023 around the clarity on where to access reliable information and services.”
