Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
661. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if a bilateral cochlear implant operation will be carried out on a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; if he will outline his policy on such operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3812/13]
View answer689. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if a bilateral cochlear implant will be carried out on persons (details supplied); the reason Ireland does not carry out bilateral cochlear implants in line with the rest of the developed world; and if funding will be made available for the implants. [4181/13]
View answer705. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is provided for the provision of bilateral cochlear impacts for children in the State; the reason this treatment has not been provided to date; if his attention has been drawn to the long term negative effects for children arising from an inability to access this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/13]
View answer732. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason bilateral cochlear implants are not funded in this State; if he will acknowledge the significant benefits of this procedure in comparison to unilateral implants; if he will address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4439/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 661, 689, 705 and 732 together.
I am advised that Beaumont Hospital carried out over ninety cochlear implants in 2012 and that over seven hundred patients are currently under the care of the hospital programme which provides rehabilitation and programming on a recurring basis. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy's, including the individual cases, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
