Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was curious about how much Covid pushed forward the technology and its availability because it opened doors for many people. Has the effect or contribution it has made been gauged? Professor MacLachlan mentioned the need for a new approach and developing a centre of excellence. What would be the benefits of that? He also spoke about bringing together the service providers and service users, educators and industry under one umbrella to oversee what is happening. Maybe that is an important thing that is needed. I know about speech and language as I am constantly dealing with waiting lists in my constituency and it is very frustrating.

Ms McCleary mentioned a national framework for prescribing and funding of communications devices. Many people do not know what is available. I hear that regularly and it occurred to me when dementia was mentioned that the use of picture symbols is something I never thought of when dealing with dementia. I have met many people with dementia, and I know someone who is suffering badly at present, but I never understood these things could be used to help people like that. Maybe the witnesses could give us an insight into how that works. The use of voice operated software on laptops, phones or tablets is more obvious for people who have motor neurone disease or the like. People are familiar with Charlie Bird and he has in many ways shown many people what is available. It has been an important step forward. It has been great.

I was impressed by the point made about communication boards and how they can be used in playgrounds, buildings, etc. That could be very useful, especially when someone is visiting a place out of the blue. That kind of help could be very important. Will the witnesses elaborate on that and whether it is feasible to use them in many places?