Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to share time with Deputies Ann Phelan, Eamonn Maloney and Gerald Nash.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. I first became aware of the need for bilateral cochlear implants for severely or profoundly deaf children, particularly those under five, when a parent in Offaly contacted me last March. She invited me to meet the newly-formed Happy New Ear lobby group, which I was delighted to do and we discussed the issues involved. Since then I have been in regular contact with the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, and on all occasions have received very positive responses from them. Indeed, they met the group on several occasions this year, most recently in July. I wish to acknowledge the work done by the Happy New Ear group in assisting HSE personnel in the development and planning of the business case proposal to introduce a bilateral cochlear implant programme in Ireland. I know as a parent that when one has a child with special needs, one's focus is totally on that child. For the parents of these children to be able to come together as a group is commendable and I congratulate them for their efforts.

While I know there is naturally a degree of impatience, tremendous progress has been made this year. The group must also be acknowledged for the work it has done in enlightening us all. When one has a family that does not have these needs, one's focus is in a totally different direction. The work the group has done in enlightening us all must be commended.

In 2009, the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommended simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation for children. The institute was clear in defining the urgency and essential nature of this surgery. It is well known that the surgery is most successful when carried out on children under five because the brain interprets sound more effectively in the first few years of life. There is worldwide evidence showing that the surgery is most suitable and effective for children who are born deaf or whose hearing has deteriorated to the level of being profoundly or severely deaf. As with all surgery, there are risks but the outcomes are marvellous. For example, children's listening skills improve for many years, their speech and language development is greatly improved and most important of all, the sense of isolation that those who have hearing difficulties experience is greatly reduced. The children are able to hear for the first time and live with the benefits of that, which all of us who have been blessed with hearing can appreciate. We can only imagine how restricted life is for those with hearing problems.

Since the national audiology review group reported in 2011, there is now a clear blueprint for the delivery of all audiology services, including cochlear implantation. The group's report has a recommendation for funding simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation for children. I am glad to note that the national clinical care programme for audiology has been established and that newborn hearing screening is now in place in all but one HSE region. The roll out of the screening programme will be completed this year. Currently recruitment of audiology staff is taking place, which I welcome. I also welcome the fact that the HSE has sponsored ten students to pursue a master's degree in audiology in the UK. The lack of specialists in this field was highlighted by Ms Laura Viani, the ENT surgeon and head of the department of audiology at Beaumont Hospital at a presentation I attended recently. She made the point that this is not something that has only been highlighted this year. In fact, she has been campaigning for this for many years and finally, this year, attention is being paid to it.

It is important to note that the HSE's audiology services are free of charge. However, there were shortcomings in the service and the Happy New Ear group has worked closely with the HSE to improve the service. It has made recommendations on restructuring the service and these will definitely result in a better service for patients. One of the most welcome developments in the ongoing efforts of the Department and the HSE is the signing of the memorandum of understanding between DeafHear, HSE audiology, HSE speech and language therapy, Beaumont cochlear implant team and the visiting teacher service so that a much more cohesive service can be provided to those children who need it.

Up to six hospitals, including Tullamore hospital, have commenced the bone anchoring hearing aid programme for both adult and paediatric cases.

The Government’s commitment to children is clearly outlined by the fact that for the first time ever there is a full-time Minister for Children and Youth Affairs at Cabinet. The new children’s hospital is a priority for the Government with €450 million in funding allocated from the Exchequer and €200 million coming from the sale of the national lottery. The sooner we see progress in its construction, the better.

I hate when one has to make a business case for a service that is a profound need for people. Unfortunately, in these times one has to count every euro and cent. I am hopeful the business case, developed with the HSE in conjunction with Beaumont Hospital, the many stakeholders such as the Happy New Ear group and the UK experts in this field, will provide us with a plan for ensuring delivery of this service.

It is difficult when one hears terms such as “resource constraints” and “unhealthy budgetary and fiscal conditions”. However, I urge the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to prioritise this matter. For many years it was not seen as a priority, as evidenced by Dr Laura Viani. There is now a commitment to help the parents and the wonderful children who deserve our support, however. I hope the efforts of the Ministers, the Happy New Ear group and the marvellous parents will bear fruition to allow our services in this area catch up with other countries and give young people an opportunity to have this operation at an early and sensitive stage for their benefit.

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