Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1524. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review an application (details supplied) with the HSE; if she will provide a timeframe for a decision on the applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58856/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On the 15th of August 2025, my Department and the HSE National Clinical Programme for People with Disabilities (NCPPD) announced funding totalling to over €1 million euro for digital and assistive technology projects for people with disabilities.

This is now the third iteration of the Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) initiative and will see grants of €75,000–€200,000 being awarded to applicants.

Prior to CREATE III, CREATE I received funding of €2 million for 11 projects in 2022. CREATE II received funding of €750,000 in 2023 to support ongoing projects and to advance 9 new projects.

The deadline for application was the 22nd of September 2025 and the HSE received a total of 87 applications. These applications were received and reviewed as part of Stage 1 – Critical Inclusion Checks. Following this review, 45 applications were deemed eligible and have progressed to Stage 2 – Assessment and Award Review.

The assessment process followed two stages:

Stage 1 – Critical Inclusion Checks ensures applications meet the minimum eligibility and inclusion criteria, including alignment with programme scope, funding level, and domain relevance.

Stage 2 – Assessment and Award Review involves detailed scoring based on defined criteria such as track record, person-centred focus, collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.

The NCPPD established an Evaluation Panel and Working Group to oversee the process, ensuring consistency, transparency, and governance oversight. The panel consisted of representatives from the NCPPD, Access and Integration, Disability Services, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, and the National Disability Authority (NDA).

The final review and agreement on outcomes are currently being completed and further details on the successful applicants will be available once the HSE process conclude.