Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Earlier, I was struck by the openness and frankness of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, in dealing with this issue. She referred to constraints on her budgetary resources but, today, she stated bilateral cochlear implantation will be a priority for her. If I know Deputy Kathleen Lynch, once she says something, she does it. She has not promised anything above and beyond, marching people up a hill only to march them down again. I take her at her word that she has made this matter a priority.

We understand how difficult and frustrating this issue is for the parents of children requiring bilateral cochlear implantation. When one knows that a second implantation would significantly improve one’s child’s life, it must be very tormenting not to be able to get it and ensure one’s child has the best start in life. Deputy Halligan stated if one was doing an operation on a blind person, then one would not replace one eye but both. I happen to know quite a number of people who are blind and who, if they had any chance of having their sight restored, would be very grateful to have it restored even in one eye. I am not making an excuse for the issues concerning bilateral cochlear implantation.

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