Written answers
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Disability Services
Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)
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949. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if suitable respite will be provided for a child (details supplied) given the previous respite offer was unworkable due to the fact that the child cannot travel in the car for extended periods of time. [24209/25]
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.
Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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950. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm plans to deliver a partnership (details supplied) with the World Health Organization. [24481/25]
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed to the 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 (AT).
Government also recognises the serious need to invest in AT due to the projected 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, stating that circa 3.5 billion people will need at least one form of AT by 2050.
In March 2024, the Government entered into a €12.524m donor agreement (split evenly over a period of five years) with the WHO to strengthen equitable access to assistive technology, with a focus on innovation in people-centred, rights-based service delivery models and harnessing the potential of digital assistive technology. Year One of this agreement has been completed. The agreement also affirms the plan to host two Global Workforce/DAT Expos, one of which will be held in Dublin.
Work is ongoing within my Department to progress the Dublin Expo. Once a date is agreed further information will be circulated.
David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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951. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an application for funding for intellectual disability residential services by an organisation (details supplied); if this project will be funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23226/25]
Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.
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