asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for hearing aids which were (a) approved and (b) refused in South Tipperary and West Waterford since this scheme came into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hearing Aids.
5.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
I presume that the Deputy's questions refer to the South Tipperary constituency which comprises (1) all but a small portion of the administrative area of Tipperary (SR) County Council and (2) the western portion of the Waterford Health Authority area. The information given in the reply relates to the areas comprising the constituency and is in respect of a current date.
The information given in reply to question No. 4 relates to the arrangements made by health authorities following the issue of a circular letter from my Department in September, 1961, which reminded health authorities that they are empowered to supply drugs and medicines, free of charge, under Section 14 of the Health Act, 1953, to persons, who because of the financial hardship involved, are unable to meet the cost of these items, even though they do not hold medical cards.
I understand that Question No. 5 refers to the scheme for the supply of hearing aids to health authority patients through the National Organisation for Rehabilitation, which commenced in 1963.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
Area |
Number of applications for drugs and medicines |
Number of applications for hearing aids |
||
|
approved |
refused |
approved |
refused |
|
|
That portion of the Tipperary South Constituency in the administrative area of Tipperary (SR) County Council |
34 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
|
That portion of the Tipperary South Constituency in the Waterford Health Authority area |
Nil |
Nil |
2 |
2 |
NOTE: These two applications were originally refused by the health authority as the persons concerned do not belong to groups specified in Article 7 of the Dental and Aural Appliances Regulations, 1961, to which health authorities are obliged to have particular regard in making hearing aids available under Section 14 of the Health Act, 1953. The health authority recently decided to extend the service to eligible persons outside these priority groups and have arranged to have hearing aids supplied to the two persons concerned.