Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Minister for Health is alongside me. He also heard the Deputy and would be responsive to the idea and to the recommendation of the national hearing plan. I will ask the Minister to pursue that. There have been many initiatives across the broad spectrum of health services but audiology services need attention, particularly at child level, where early intervention can be key to the child's developmental potential. Substantial funding has been allocated for reducing waiting lists. Perhaps a useful discussion could take place as to the best means of deploying that funding in respect of audiology to get the list down as quickly as possible, utilising all resources that could potentially be available.

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