Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding she is providing for digital and assistive technology projects for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50095/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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This Department funds several assistive technology (AT) projects to enhance the lives of people with disabilities in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT). This report published in 2022 has estimated that 3.5bn people will need at least one form of AT by 2050 compared to the estimated 2.5bn in 2025.

Global Lead Agreement

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 globally, with a focus on innovation in people-centred, rights-based service delivery models and harnessing the potential of digital assistive technology (DAT).

Project Collaboration Agreement

In addition, the Department is also progressing a Project Collaboration Agreement with the WHO which is focused on domestic objectives including workforce optimisation through DAT, hosting one of two Global DAT/Workforce Expos in Dublin and the delivery of an independent Assistive Technology Capacity (ATA-C) Review.

The ATA-C will evaluate Ireland’s capacity to provide equitable access to AT and was conducted by technical experts from the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO EUROPE). This process is nearing completion, and the recommendations will be submitted to Government by the WHO EUROPE in the coming months and with inform Government on best approaches to improve assistive technology access.

CREATE III

In August 2025, the Department and HSE National Clinical Programme for People with Disability (NCPPD) also announced funding of over €1million to the third iteration of the Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) initiative, which supports digital and assistive technology projects for people with disabilities.

CREATE III will focus on two main areas which will further enhance research and the application of assistive technology within our health systems:

1. Design, Demonstrate and Implement Good Assistive Technology Service Delivery
2. Create Accessible Digital Education, Training and Resource Hubs for all Projects

• Stream 1 was designated to provide both a device and associated support and training to 125 children and families
• Stream 2 for children already under the care of a Speech and Language Therapist who required funding to access a device