Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----spending €1 billion a month more than is being made and our overall borrowing figure relative to national wealth is in a perilous position. In that context, these achievements and this level of investment - €3.7 million in 2011 and €1.9 million in 2013 - are not insignificant. They suggest prioritisation of people who need this service, which is only right. As the Minister of State indicated, there are ten students being sponsored by the HSE to pursue in the United Kingdom a master's degree in audiology and they will shortly be assigned to work here, which will greatly augment the service available. A procurement exercise for the purchase of hearing aids, fitting systems and audiological assessment equipment has been completed, which is also important.

The 2011 audiology review recommends continued ring-fenced support for the cochlear implant programme but at levels which would allow for simultaneous bilateral implantation for children. In other words, it is accepted that this is the way to go. We do not have a dedicated programme and the Minister of State has indicated it is being developed in the context of the national service plan and will be in place shortly. However, some bilateral implantations have occurred for patients, mainly young children with certain medical conditions such as meningitis and blindness. They have already had bilateral cochlear implants, meaning there is a precedent, but we must broaden the process.

There are two aspects to developing the programme. There is simultaneous cochlear implantation for new cases, with the provision, where clinically appropriate, of bilateral cochlear implants at the same time. Even to a lay person, the process of doing both ears in one surgical procedure makes sense and I support it as both logical and humane. The other option involves a sequential process, where people have already had a cochlear implant and must be reassessed before getting a second. That would also have to be part of the programme.

A business case for bilateral implants was developed with Beaumont Hospital and the HSE developed it in liaison with the hospital. Such a programme would involve assessment, fitting and post-operative follow-up of simultaneous cochlear implants. The business case also addresses how sequential second implants could be provided for the cohort of children who have received one implant and are assessed as suitable for a second. This is a complex development and the HSE has engaged with many stakeholders. It has also sought the support and advice of two UK experts in the development of the business case which outlines estimated requirements for the introduction of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation and sets out a number of options for how sequential implantation may be managed. The programme will involve additional staff, equipment and capital works and be contingent on additional funding. Estimates for the full cost of introducing a bilateral cochlear implantation programme for children are €2.38 million. This figure encompasses extra staff and non-pay costs. The cost of providing a second implant for children who already have one is €3.5 million to €10.2 million. The Minister of State committed to working to achieve this and finding the money somewhere. Everything about the Government's record to date in this area follows on from this. I am personally very committed to the cause and urge both the Minister and the Minister of State to work together to get the programme in place as an absolute priority.

I join in the congratulations to and lauding of the Happy New Ear lobby group, although I have not met its members because I was away when they were in Leinster House meeting people. We should stand in awe of such individuals and have nothing but respect for them as face this issue every day. I am privileged to be a parent and have a background in primary teaching and both of these aspects give me an acute appreciation of how important this issue is. I am unequivocally in favour of the bilateral cochlear implants issue being progressed and the work being done by the Government to achieve this objective. I commend the Minister and hope he will keep up the pressure. I appeal to Sinn Féin to be true to the cause it advocates by accepting the bona fides of the Government and accepting our position. We must work together to achieve quick implementation of this programme.

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