Minister Foley announces over €1 million in funding for digital and assistive technology projects
Minister Foley announces over €1 million in funding for digital and assistive technology projects
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has today announced funding of over €1 million for nine digital and assistive technology projects supporting people with sensory, cognitive, physical, and intellectual disabilities.
The funding, delivered through the third iteration of the HSE Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE III) initiative, targets unmet needs and supports people with disabilities to participate fully in work, education, leisure, and community life.
The nine projects receiving funding are:
- Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) FreedomTech, in partnership with Enable Ireland - “Empowering Inclusion: Strengthening Ireland's Assistive Technology Ecosystem through CHAT (Community Hub for Assistive Technology)” (€125,000)
- Inclusion Ireland, in partnership with Brothers of Charity Services Ireland and St. Michael’s House - “Advancing Accessible Information: National Standards and Resources for People with Intellectual Disabilities” (€125,000)
- St John of God Community Services – “DigiCoach Project” (€125,000)
- The Rehab Group - “DAT Works: Tech for Talent” (€125,000)
- St John of God Community Services – Dublin Southeast - “Positive Ageing, Living Stronger” (€125,000)
- St. Michael’s House, in partnership with the HSE National Disability Quality Improvement Team (DISQI) - “Digital Supports for Persons with Disabilities” (€125,000)
- National Rehabilitation Hospital - “Development of a National Framework for Microprocessor Knees (MPKs) Provision” (€75,000)
- HSE Community Healthcare West Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) - “Establishing an Early Assistive Technology to Support Development Clinic for Infants and Young Children with Complex Needs in Mayo” (€75,000)
- The Anne Sullivan Centre - “Expansion of the National Assistive Technology Library for People who are Deafblind” (€75,000)
Minister Foley said:
“I am pleased to provide funding to support the HSE’s CREATE III programme and congratulate the nine projects selected by the HSE. These initiatives demonstrate how digital and assistive technology can support people with disabilities across personal mobility, communication, hearing, vision, and accessibility.
I look forward to the positive impact these projects will have in strengthening supports and participation for people with disabilities across Ireland.”
Minister Higgins said:
“This initiative continues the Government’s commitment to empowering people with disabilities through assistive technology. CREATE III projects provide both general and targeted supports across key life stages, from early childhood to older adulthood.
They build on the success of CREATE II, which benefitted over 1,200 individuals and staff through new assistive technology pathways, libraries, and training initiatives that strengthened community participation and digital confidence.”
Professor Rosemary Gowran, Clinical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for People with Disability, said:
“Together, these projects form part of the CREATE Collective, which seeks to drive systemic change by strengthening the assistive technology ecosystem and embedding it as a core component of services supporting people with disabilities in everyday life.”
Contact Information
Department of Children, Disability and Equality