Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2009

Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Questions (158)

Tom Hayes

Question:

246 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for an audiology assessment appointment nationally; the waiting time for fitting a hearing aid nationally; the length of these waiting lists in south Tipperary; the number of audiologist posts awaiting advertisement which are on hold due to the recruitment freeze; the full complement of audiologists; the number currently employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter of the way this relates to her policy in this area. [36624/09]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

The Community Audiology Service of the HSE provides hearing aids to eligible adults with medical cards. As the HSE has the operational and funding responsibility for the Community Audiology Service, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.