Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hearing Tests.

Liz McManus

Question:

586 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no hearing aid tests were held by the National Rehabilitation Board in County Wicklow in the month of December 1997; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that some people in need of hearing aids are on waiting lists since July 1997; if he will ensure that adequate resources are provided to the NRB in 1998 to clear the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I understand from the National Rehabilitation Board that difficulties were experienced by the board towards the end of 1997 in servicing the hearing clinics in County Wicklow. This situation arose from one audiology clinician being on a career break and a second audiology clinician being on sick leave. There is an acute shortage of trained audiology clinicians and, accordingly, the board experiences extreme difficulties in obtaining suitable replacements for existing staff.

During December 1997 the board offered the option of an emergency clinical service in Dublin at its Clyde Road and North Great George's Street centres for people in the Wicklow area. This option was taken up by many people. The board has succeeded in obtaining emergency clinical cover for County Wicklow and clinics resumed as normal in January 1998. This will enable the board to bring waiting lists in the county back to normal by the end of February 1998.