Update Regarding Irish Autism Action

Early Childhood Ireland is aware of management changes at Irish Autism Action (IAA), the cuts in its behavioural outreach services to families and the reduction in its staff numbers. We are closely monitoring the situation and have met with IAA about National Pyjama Day funds. Early Childhood Ireland is seeking assurances that IAA can deliver on the agreed programme of work before any monies raised through National Pyjama Day 2016 are released. 

Through our own review and a meeting with the new CEO on 13^th July, we have been made aware of cuts in IAA’s services to parents in relation to their behavioural outreach programme. In tandem with the cut in services, there is a statement on their website asking for queries via email rather than phone.  You can read the IAA announcement re the cut in service and the appointment of a new CEO on IAA’s FB page.

We met with IAA on 13^th July, putting a number of serious questions to them. We raised questions about sustainability, governance, leadership, organisational expertise, among others. We have informed IAA that we will be discussing the matter at our next Board meeting and have requested a clear breakdown of monies spent from PJ Day 2015. We also made it clear to IAA that none of the funds raised via PJ Day 2016 will be handed over until we get assurances regarding their financial situation, their sustainability and their ability to deliver on their proposal for this money.

We continue to monitor the situation carefully, and will be in touch with more information as we get it.

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Update: On 26^th September 2016, the Board of Early Childhood Ireland discussed the information supplied by Irish Autism Action in relation to IAA’s agreed work programme for the National Pyjama Day fundraiser.

At that meeting, it was decided to set up a subgroup to further examine the situation and to report back to the Board on or before the next Board meeting on 14^th November. 

Meanwhile, the €300,000 raised through National Pyjama Day which took place on 4^th March 2016 remains ringfenced and set aside and Early Childhood Ireland has contacted IAA to update them.

We won’t have any further update until the subgroup reports back to the Board of Early Childhood Ireland and ECI will also be keeping its members and PJ Day participants informed.