asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in respect of hearing aids he will request the Prices Commission to examine the pricing structures and whether commissions are being paid on their sale.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hearing Aids.
9.
No complaints have been received by my Department or by the National Prices Commission about the pricing structures for hearing aids. I do not, accordingly, feel that I would be justified in requesting the National Prices Commission to examine the matter. If, however, the Deputy has received any complaint as to the pricing of hearing aids or has any information which he considers relevant, I will be pleased to consider the matter further on receipt of the relevant information.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a person who bought a hearing aid for his child was charged £182 for it? Does he not consider that exorbitant? If I give the Parliamentary Secretary the invoice, will he ask the National Prices Commission to examine the whole matter of the pricing structure of hearing aids with a view to finding out if commissions are being paid to professional people who may make recommendations to their patients? Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that £182 is a lot of money for a hearing aid?
Certainly I will have the matters now made known by the Deputy investigated by the Prices Division and I will be particularly interested to have any further information he may have. As to whether there should be a formal referral of this matter to the National Prices Commission itself, this is something on which I would prefer not to commit myself until the investigation by the Prices Division to which I have referred is completed.
Would it be helpful to the Parliamentary Secretary if other people who have been charged what they consider exorbitant prices for hearing aids would send copies of invoices or other particulars to the Department of Industry and Commerce for him to forward on to the Prices Commission?
It most certainly would.