Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

Some 320 hearing impaired children in Galway have been neglected by the Government for the past five years. That is some legacy for the Government after its five years in power during the Celtic tiger era when its coffers were full. Up to 120 of these children have been assessed to a degree but are being deprived of services, while a further 300 children are waiting to be assessed. Some of these children have been waiting for an assessment since 2002. I wish to set out clearly what is required in this situation so that the Government, particularly the Minister for Education and Science, and the Minister with responsibility for children know what is needed so that action can be taken immediately to right this wrong which has been perpetrated against 320 children in Galway, against many of them for the past five years.

A full-time audiologist scientist is required immediately. This position has been vacant for the past five years and the children of Galway have suffered as a result. There is a hit and miss, piecemeal service where a person comes from Kilkenny four days per month. That is totally unsatisfactory and inadequate. The position was advertised twice in the past five years, which is absolutely unbelievable. This is criminal and clearly indicates the HSE has no commitment to filling this post. I understand the position advertised was for an audiologist and for a six-month contract. This is a further indication of the lip service being paid to this problem.

What is required in Galway is an audiologist scientist, not an audiologist, and the position is required to be filled on a full-time basis, not for a six-month period. If one was to adopt the staffing levels employed in the UK, what is required in Galway are three audiologist scientists, not just one. I ask the Minister for Health and Children to act immediately to direct the HSE to recruit one audiologist scientist now to begin a service of sorts and then let us begin planning for the recruitment of the further two audiologist scientists required for delivery of a comprehensive service to the children of Galway.

Two visiting teachers are required. The Minister for Education and Science has been neglectful in attending to her duties in this regard. One full-time teacher who was in place retired from the position in 2004. Effectively, that position has remained vacant since that time, except for a period of approximately six months. The role of the visiting teacher is vital not only in visiting schools and offering advice to teachers but also in visiting pre-school children in their homes and offering support, advice and guidance to parents. Geographically, Galway is a very large county and definitely needs at least two visiting teachers now. The Minister has direct responsibility and she should act now, live up to her responsibilities and ensure the two teachers are appointed.

In September 2006, an advertisement appeared in a national newspaper seeking applications for the visiting teacher service. What happened after that? Did the advertisement elicit applications? If not, were further efforts made? Were applications invited from outside the country?

The ultimate question is why the Government is depriving 320 children of a basic service. Parents are concerned that if this neglect continues, children with hearing problems may end up with serious personal and social issues in adulthood. Will the Government allow that to happen or will it live up to its responsibilities and act immediately to ensure the audiologist scientist and the two visiting teachers are appointed now?

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