Dr. John Bosco Conama:

I will try to answer the Deputy's first question on the national health plan. In my limited understanding of the matter, it is for hearing supports such as providing cochlear implants and hearing aids. All of that area of health is completely funded. There are waiting lists for hearing assessments, but my understanding is that from birth cochlear implants are provided at Beaumont Hospital and that this is fully funded by the Department of Health. There is no issue with that provision. Two things that are linked to that which I hear from parents is they are often told when they go to Beaumont Hospital not to learn ISL. Thus, conflicting and confusing information is being given to parents. The HSE is not fully supportive of early interventions in offers of ISL classes for children, but one would think Beaumont would advise that and give advice to parents on learning ISL and refer them to where they can do that. That is what I know currently.