William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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481. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected impact of the recently announced €1 million in funding for nine digital and assistive technology projects under the HSE CREATE III initiative; the way in which these projects will enhance participation and supports for people with sensory, cognitive, physical and intellectual disabilities; her plans to further strengthen the national assistive technology ecosystem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29256/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive’s Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) initiative provides funding ranging from €75,000–€200,000 to HSE and Section 38/39 organisations. Funded projects design, implement and scale best-practice assistive technology service delivery; and develop universally designed digital education and training hubs.

Building on previous iterations, CREATE III projects are required to align with the five core assistive technology domains - Personal Mobility, Vision, Hearing, Communication and Accessibility - ensuring cross-disability relevance.

The investment is expected to strengthen:

• Access to high-quality assistive technologies, including advanced prosthetics, digital communication supports, mobility devices and specialised hardware for people who are deafblind.
• Sustainable AT service pathways, through enhanced receiving, reviewing, repairing, reusing, refurbishing and recycling systems.
• National AT infrastructure, including collaborative networks such as the Community Hub for Assistive Technology (CHAT) and the expansion of the National Assistive Technology Library.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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482. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the geographical criteria used in determining placement for respite care for adults with intellectual disability; if a home address in a specific county automatically disqualifies an individual from accessing respite care in another county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29265/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, 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.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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483. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason an application for respite by a person (details supplied) has been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29266/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, 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.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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484. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a person has been unable to apply for residency (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29267/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.