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.
Overall, this funding builds directly on the success of CREATE I (€2m) and CREATE II (€750,000), which demonstrated improvements in assistive technology access, digital inclusion, workforce capacity and person-centred design across more than 1,200 service users and staff. Government recognises the importance of investing in assistive technology to support people with disabilities given the rising need as a result of ageing populations and a rise in noncommunicable diseases.
Looking forward, the Department is finalising its review of the national Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment (ATA-C) conducted by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe which will guide the future development of assistive technology policy in Ireland.
