Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Her five-year old child, Liam, has one implant and fits the criteria for a second implant.

Despite Liam fitting the criteria, Beaumont Hospital will not carry out the operation because it has not been funded to do so. The hospital has stated it does not wish to make an exception because there are other children who need this treatment. Therefore, it has recommended that he travel to England. This five year old child could be left in a bizarre position where he has an implant in one ear put in place in Beaumont Hospital and one in the other put in place in a hospital in Britain. In such cases there is a need for regular check-ups; therefore, the child will have to travel within Ireland and to England for treatment. This does not make sense. None of us would wish to see our children having to go through this and I imagine the Taoiseach has costed it. We know the treatment is not hugely expensive and that it can make a great difference to the lives of the children concerned. Obviously, they need other supports also. The Taoiseach promised to raise the issue with the Minister for Health as a matter of urgency. One month on, will the Government fund the treatment for the children concerned?

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