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

Five front-line audiology staff are currently being recruited to support the newborn hearing screening programme. There will be a further recruitment process later in 2013 for two to three additional posts. In addition, ten students who received the MSc in audiology with HSE sponsorship have been offered appointments. We are building up the team. Another key recommendation was the establishment of a bone anchored hearing aid programme or BAHA. It recommended ring-fenced support for the programme which has now commenced in six hospital sites. In addition, recognising the importance of accurate and timely waiting list and activity information for audiology services, the programme has recently developed a waiting list and validation procedure to be implemented nationally. It is a case of ensuring that those who need the help get it and that we are dealing with the right cohort of people. I am very pleased with the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the HSE review, with the universal newborn hearing screening programme being a particular success. The business case for bilateral cochlear implantation was put together by Beaumont Hospital and the HSE in 2013. The HSE has been working closely with Beaumont Hospital to progress plans for bilateral cochlear implantation. The business plan is a tool to be used in the programme. Such a programme will involve the assessment, fitting and post-operative follow-up of simultaneous cochlear implants. The business case outlines estimated resource requirements for the introduction of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation. The business case also addresses how sequential second implants could be provided to the cohort of children who have received one implant and who are assessed as suitable for a second. It sets out a number of options for how sequential implantation may be managed. The consultant ENT surgeon made a very strong case in this regard and he emphasised that the team must be built up. This is a complex development and the HSE has engaged with many stakeholders in the proposal development. It has also engaged the support and advice of two UK experts in the development of the business case.

The introduction of a bilateral cochlear implant programme clearly has cost implications. Estimated costs have been developed and these are now being examined closely and are subject to further review. The resources required for the introduction of bilateral cochlear implantation will have to be considered in the context of the health Estimate for next year which was announced on Tuesday. In developing its national service plan on the basis of Tuesday's budget, the HSE will have to consider the exact type and quantum of services to be provided. This must be done in the context of the over-riding priority of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly - which I share - for quality and patient safety. Quality, safe care for children means that wherever our children live, and whatever their diagnosis, the health care they receive must be of a consistent quality and standard. A clinical programme is under development. This is a priority issue which will be dealt with in the service plan.

I think this motion would have been more effectively tabled once the service plan was published. I am someone who does not practise party politics to a great extent, much to the disdain of my party colleagues from time to time. We need to see what can be done in the context of the Estimates and the service plan. This is a particularly difficult year. It is not the case that the Government is unsympathetic but as my sister-in-law says, "What pocket does that go into?" Sympathy is all well and good. I assure the House that the Minister and I regard this issue as a priority and we are fighting our corner on it. I hope people accept our good faith because it is the truth.

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