Minister Foley and Minister Higgins publish World Health Organization report on Ireland’s provision of Assistive Technology
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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins have today launched the Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment Report for Ireland.
Assistive technology encompasses a wide range of products to support people in their daily activities and participation in society. It includes glasses, hearing aids, subtitles, communications boards, screen readers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, hoists, and pill organisers.
The Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment Report for Ireland is the most comprehensive review to date of Ireland’s assistive technology provision. It was conducted by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe between 2024 and 2025.
The report found that Ireland is strongly committed to funding Assistive Technology through a variety of schemes and innovative pilot programmes.
The report underscores the very positive progress Ireland has made in recent years in expanding access to Assistive Technology and identifies ways in which this access could be strengthened.
Launching the report, Minister Foley said:
“This WHO report shows how assistive technology can provide “life changing” experiences for people of all ages and abilities. A student with dyslexia can use text-to-speech software to aid their learning. An older adult might rely on a walking aid to maintain independence. Assistive technology allows people to express themselves, to participate in education and employment, and to live more independent and fulfilled lives.
This report recognises the investment Government has made to introduce or expand assistive technology schemes. It also demonstrates where gaps in provision remain, such as the lack of data on the need for assistive technology in this country. The new National Disability Survey, which will be carried out by the Central Statistics Office next year, offers an opportunity to address this.”
Also speaking at the launch, Minister of State Higgins said:
“For people with disabilities, assistive technology can be the key enabler which allows them to realise their rights across a broad range of sectors. For example, having access to screen readers can support a person to engage in work or education. Hearing aids and communication devices can support language development and participation in communities. And appropriate mobility aids can reduce isolation and contribute to overall wellbeing.
The report we are publishing today is a significant milestone in Ireland’s continued efforts to develop an assistive technology ecosystem which is centred around the needs of users of assistive technology and their lived experience”.
Assistive technology can prevent further health complications, reduce healthcare costs, and support people being able to live at home into their old age.
The current government schemes to support Assistive Technology include the following:
- the Department of Children, Disability and Equality’s Access and Inclusion Model for children with disabilities in early years education
- the HSE’s Aids and Appliances scheme
- the Department of Housing’s Housing Adaption Grants
- the Department of Social Protection’s Work and Access scheme
- the Department of Education’s Assistive Technology Grant
- the Department of Further and Higher Education’s Fund for Students with Disabilities
- the HSE’s Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement (CREATE) fund
- the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides tax relief for purchase of vehicles
- VAT refunds on eligible assistive products, such as hoists, communication devices, and mobility aids.
- Zero VAT on wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics etc
The WHO report is available to read here.
Notes to Editors
Assistive technology is an umbrella term for assistive products and their related systems and services. Assistive products help maintain or improve an individual’s functioning related to cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self-care and vision, thus enabling their health, well-being, inclusion and participation.
Globally, more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, relying on them to live independently, stay connected, and participate fully in daily life. The WHO and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT), launched in 2022, highlights that this number is expected to grow to 3.5 billion by 2050. This rise reflects longer lives and increasing rates of noncommunicable diseases.
In March 2024, the Irish 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).
In addition, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is progressing a Project Collaboration Agreement with the WHO which is focused on domestic objectives. The independent Assistive Technology Capacity Review being published today is a key deliverable of this agreement.