Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the work of his Department in providing assistive technologies to aid children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38672/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Assistive Technology (AT) covers a broad spectrum of technology, from low level vision aids to high level technologies such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tablets, which assist children or adults with a verbal impairment.

The Government has committed to supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and this also encompasses the inclusion of persons in society through the use of assistive technology.

It is also recognised that the need for assistive technology will continue to rise due to the increase in non-communicable diseases and aging populations. The 2022 Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) published by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) outlines this, with the number of people needing at lease one form of AT rising from 2.5billion today to 3.5billion in 2050.

In order to address this domestically, the Department is progressing work with WHO Europe around a collaboration agreement on Digital Assistive Technology (DAT). This partnership will include three core streams of work covering:

1. A review of Ireland’s assistive technology capacity through a multi-stakeholder approach;

2. The development of workforce optimisation initiatives using digital tools focusing on assessments and intervention and;

3. Progressing 2 Global DAT/Workforce Expos with the first hosted by Ireland in 2026.

These work streams will seek to improve the lives of people with disabilities, including those with Autism, through the use of DAT.

Additionally, the Department has funded specific supports for children with Autism needing assistive technology through the AAC Support Programme by AsIAm. This initiative supports children with additional communication needs through the provision of information and training to the key stakeholders in a child’s life and, most crucially, it supports the provision of an AAC device and App best suited to the child’s needs.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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28. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of CDNT staff that have accepted different terms to HSE contracts in the CDNT staff roles under the HSE panel access confirmed by the HSE in recent weeks. [38910/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.