Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to deal with two issues raised by Senator van Turnhout on cochlear implants and whether it takes six to eight months before a decision is made. It is a fact that such time is required. We made that clear yesterday. The process is that one must budget for certain provisions and if it was not budgeted for last year then it must be a matter for discussion in next year’s budget. People did not expect to walk out from yesterday’s meeting with a cheque for €7 million in their pocket.