A Clare autism advocate believes allowing recipients of the Carers allowance to work part-time would have tangible mental health benefits.
It comes as Ireland’s national autism charity AsIAm publishes its pre-budget submission calling for a range of measures and actions to better support its members and their families.
The theme of AsIAm’s pre-budget submission for 2023 is ‘Investing in Creating the Same Chance for Ireland’s Autism Community’.
Among the charity’s recommendations are an increase of €25 per week to the Disability Allowance as well as a commitment to adjusting it in line with future inflation, an increase of €25 per week to the Carers Allowance as well as a removal of the means test and an extension of the eligibility of the Home Carer Tax Credit to include single working parents.
It follows the publication of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism Report which included 109 recommendations regarding autism awareness, access to education, employment opportunities and healthcare provision.
It has been highlighted that 85% of autistic people are either unemployed or under-employed.
AsIAm founder and CEO Adam Harris says despite recent progress, autistic children continue to face obstacles in education.
An investment of €15m is also being sought to develop and implement an Autism Innovation Strategy as well as an additional €6m to deliver ‘one-stop shop’ hubs in communities so autistic people and their relatives have accessible supports.
Research shows that it costs an additional €20,000 per year to raise an autistic child compared to a neurotypical child which has led to calls for greater supports for parents.
Secretary of Ennis Voices for Autism, Gearóid Mannion argues parents should be allowed to work part-time while receiving the Carers Allowance.
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