Dan Neville
Ceist:178 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children, up to 18 years of age, who suffer hearing impairment in the mid-west area. [28159/01]
Written Answers. - Hearing Impairment Statistics.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, my Department, in conjunction with the Health Research Board, the health boards and the voluntary physical and sensory disability sector, is currently in the process of developing a national physical and sensory disability database to determine the ongoing health service requirements of people with physical and sensory disabilities. It is expected that the national physical and sensory disability database will be rolled out nationally in the coming months. I regret that until such a time, statistical information for people under 18 with hearing impairments is not available.