Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Jul 1995

Vol. 455 No. 4

Written Answers. - Aids for People with Visual and Hearing Impairments.

Mary Wallace

Question:

64 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the importance of suitable smoke alarms for the safety of people with a significant hearing impairment; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the maximum cost of providing such alarms nationwide would be between £30,000 and £60,000; and if he will give a commitment to providing the necessary funds for their provision to all who would benefit from their availability. [12356/95]

Mary Wallace

Question:

65 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will make grants available to help in the purchase of text telephones for the hearing-impaired. [12360/95]

Mary Wallace

Question:

66 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will support the development of a comprehensive low vision service within the health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12361/95]

Mary Wallace

Question:

67 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will request the health boards to meet the cost of providing important equipment such as braille watches, long canes and special writing aids to blind and partially sighted people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12362/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 65, 66 and 67 together. Health boards, in conjunction with the National Council for the Blind and the National Association for the Deaf, provide a broad range of technical aids and appliances to people with visual and hearing impairments. I have allocated an additional £2 million revenue funding this year for the development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities and it is expected that health boards will use part of this funding for the improved provision of aids and appliances. In addition, I hope to be in a position to make additional funding available on a once-off basis this year towards the provision of aids and appliances.

The National Rehabilitation Board provides a national audiology service. This service provides hearing tests, hearing aid supply and fittings and hearing aid repairs for all children up to school leaving age regardless of parental income and for all adult medical card holders.

The National Council for the Blind provides a low vision aids service at its premises in Drumcondra. The cost of low vision aids recommended for those attending at the NCBI clinic and other low visual clinics throughout the country is generally met in full by the relevant health board in the case of medical card holders. In the case of non-medical card holders, assistance towards the cost of the appliance is given where the applicant's circumstances merit assistance.

Fire safety in the home is primarily a matter for the householder. Last year the National Safety Council administered a special scheme whereby smoke alarms were installed in the homes of 4,000 elderly people and people with disabilities, with a view to promoting the installation of smoke alarms as an aid to fire safety.