Vol. 508 No. 3
136 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views regarding the cost of hearing aids and the cost of repairing hearing aids in this State compared to other countries; her further views on whether a cartel exists in this regard; if she will have investigations made into the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18990/99]
I understand that medical card holders are entitled to hearing aids free of charge. The hearing aids are provided through the National Rehabilitation Board, which also operates a repair service.
There are no price control requirements in force in relation to the cost of hearing aids or the cost of repairing them. The policy of successive Governments in recent years has been to promote competition throughout all sectors of the economy. My Department does not receive information on the costs of individual products, such as hearing aids, in this State or in other countries.
I have not received any representations or complaints regarding the possible existence of a cartel in this sector. Any person alleging the existence of a cartel in this or any other sector can take a civil action under section 6 of the Competition Act, 1991, or make a complaint to the Director of Competition Enforcement requesting him to investigate the alleged cartel. The Director of Competition Enforcement was appointed to give effect to the public enforcement provisions of the Competition (Amendment) Act, 1996. The director's office is located at The Competition Authority, Parnell House, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
