asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that no provisions have been made by Mayo County Council to provide hearing aids under the Health Acts and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Hearing Aids in Mayo.
I am aware that, broadly speaking, the position is as the Deputy has indicated. I should like to make it clear, however, that this situation is not peculiar to County Mayo but obtains generally.
Some consideration has already been given by my Department to the organisation of a general scheme for the supply by local authorities of hearing aids to persons in the lower income group but the financial and other difficulties which obtain at present rule out the early introduction of such a scheme.