Vol. 524 No. 1
128 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he will take to ensure that the service formerly provided by the National Rehabilitation Board in Waterford for those with impaired hearing and now being provided by the South Eastern Health Board is of the same quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21838/00]
Following the dissolution of the National Rehabilitation Board in June last, responsibility for the provision of audiology services throughout the regions has been assigned to the Northern Area Health Board pending each health board taking over direct responsibility for the services within its own region.
I understand from the Northern Area Health Board that in order to ensure that services are maintained at a satisfactory level the following measures are currently being taken throughout the regions: existing job vacancies are in the process of being filled; the programme to provide computer links with health board clinics is being accelerated; a programme to train health board administrative staff is ongoing; new equipment required by audiology staff is being procured, this will speed up assessments; and sessional relief staff are being employed.
