andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health the longest and shortest periods in which an aural aid was provided under the Dublin Health Authority's Scheme in 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aural Aids.
5.
Dr. Browne, Mr. M. O'Leary
To elicit the information requested would entail an examination of the records pertaining to each case. As there are some 1,300 cases involved, I do not consider that the time and effort required for such an investigation would be justified. However, inquiries made by my Department of the Dublin Health Authority indicate that the usual interval between the receipt of the ENT specialist's recommendation and the supply of the aural aid is four to six weeks, which is not unreasonable. I understand that, occasionally, delays may occur in advising the health authority of the ENT specialist's recommendation and my Department have asked the health authority to follow up this aspect of the matter with the hospital ENT departments concerned.