Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under the FEMPI legislation introduced by the then Fianna Fáil Government in May 2009, the grant was reduced from what was then €830 to €760 per aid. In 2012, the Government, the grant was reduced from €760 per aid down to the current €500.

I am happy to compile a report on this. I already know what is in it because I met Chime and I commissioned a report subsequently. I am quite happy to give the Deputy that report.

We do not pay in its entirety under any of the treatment benefits. That has been the case for as long as they have been around. We only pay towards the cost. Digital technology has changed significantly over the past several years around many items. The price of many items has come down over the years. A crude example is that this is probably somewhat similar to the price of TVs. A couple years ago, a 32 inch flat-screen TV would cost €1,000. Now, one can buy the same TV in Tesco for €199. The same has happened with the technology for hearing aids, meaning the price relating to them has dropped significantly.

Fortunately, around the time that the reductions were made in 2009 and 2011, a package was provided by the market that mirrored the €500 that was on offer every couple of years. I am happy to examine the matter and produce a report in order to allow the committee to consider it. Any changes to the awards or the allowances that go with it will have to be made in a budgetary context by whoever is lucky enough to be in my chair next year.