Dr. Gerald Craddock:

We are waiting for a report that it is hoped will be published before Christmas. It is a collaboration between the World Health Organization and our parent Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

It is looking at the whole service delivery of assistive technology in Ireland, including in education. I have been involved in this for over four decades, and I have engaged with the likes of Mary Immaculate College and St. Patrick's College in Drumcondra on integrating assistive technology as part of their training.

One of the big issues is that technology is constantly changing. It is very hard to keep up. One of the systems we have looked to get reinstated is an online portal on assistive technology. It was in place in Ireland through the Citizens Information Board, to give knowledge not only to teachers but also to parents because over 60% of assistive technologies are purchased privately rather than through the education or health systems. It is an ongoing issue. We are definitely seeing more discussions, as well as elements and modules being implemented into teacher training, with St. Patrick's and Mary Immaculate being the two biggest training colleges in Ireland.