Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
736. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the National Hearing Care Plan; if the working group membership has been agreed; if terms of reference for the working group have been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16553/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra737. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he expects to receive initial recommendations from the National Hearing Care Plan Working Group in time for consideration in Budget 2025 planning and negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16554/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 737 together.
The Department is committed to developing a national hearing care plan and is establishing a joint working group with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to progress this important work.
The Department has received proposals regarding the membership of the working group and is currently finalising the proposed membership and Terms of Reference for the working group for the approval of the Minister.
Once established, the working group will develop a hearing care plan that will consider the current status of hearing care provision and the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care to support improved access to services.
The initial consideration of the hearing care plan will be on the provision of care to adults, and the working group will make recommendations to the Minister in that regard. The Department will then engage with all relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of the recommendations made.
This work will take place in tandem with other efforts to improve health outcomes for all those suffering from hearing loss.
