Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the Cork-Kerry region, 2,619 people are waiting for the audiology service appointments and it takes 117 weeks from referral by a GP or health specialist until someone gets an appointment. I am very concerned that there are only 14.2 audiologists working in the region. It is no longer adequate.

There is also a strong link between hearing loss and the early onset of dementia. What action will be taken to deal with this waiting list? Someone who is aged 82 will be 85 by the time they get an appointment. That is the type of problem we face. I ask that immediate action be taken on the matter.

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