Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I extend my congratulations to the campaign of the Happy New Ear group in informing people like myself on this issue, which is of great importance to them and to those of us who are able to advance a service that will resolve the issue. I recall that one parent in the group told me that having the two implants had profoundly transformed her daughter’s life for the better. It is indisputable that this service has to be introduced. There has been delay upon delay in introducing the service, going back to the time when we were told the country was rich. It is a source of frustration for some of the parents whose children did not get the service at that time, as well as adults. However, the HSE has put down a blueprint for the provision of a proper and full bilateral cochlear implantation service.

These people and their families deserve nothing less than that.

I do not want to go over issues to which speakers on both sides of the House have referred. The argument is conclusive. I referred to the review the HSE published in 2011. The Department allocated €3.7 million for the service in 2011 and €2 million this year. Like others, I have listened to the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who was straight and honest about it. She did not try to delude people or tell them lies that something will happen overnight when it will not. These people have heard all this stuff before from politicians who are long gone from this House. This is an open and shut case. This changes people's lives, whether adults or children. It is for all of us, but we on the Government side will take seriously our responsibility to advance this and put in place a service that meets these families' needs. It must be done and I will support the advancement of such a service.

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