Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I could start by reading out the first two pages of my speech, which tells me exactly what Senator Crown has told me, if not in the same language. I thank him for sparing me the medical terms, which I am not very good at. There are some things we should point to. I thank the Senator for raising this matter, because when he raises issues here, it is usually in order to find a solution rather than to pour scorn. Very shortly, we will enter a process on the Estimates and the budget for October. One of the things that was raised around two years ago - I saw a documentary about this on Monday night on RTE - was cochlear implants. It was something that affected a considerable number of people. We were doing some of it but not enough of it. That programme has now come on stream because of the type of focus and attention that was given to it. This is another area to which we will need to give particular attention, but there are competing issues within the health service, as the Senator knows better than most, as he works within it every day of the week. Sometimes, I highlight one among those competing programmes. We have a clinical programme and are making advances. As Senator Crown pointed out, a number of hospitals are carrying out the procedure, including St. James's, University College Hospital Galway and Mercy Hospital in Cork. However, until there is a co-ordinated approach in a national clinical programme, the benefits of which we have seen in other areas, the numbers will not be coming through and will not be able to retain the necessary skills. We all know where that leads us.

I thank the Senator for raising the issue. It is an issue about which we should all be concerned. If we are lucky enough to get to later life, it is a procedure we may need ourselves. It would be nice to know it was available. Among those who have received the treatment, some have been hospitalised for only 36 hours before returning home to a new life, able to do far more physical activity. I will ensure that this is brought to the attention of officials as they prepare the health Estimates. I am not promising the Senator anything, but when we shine a light on certain areas, we have a degree of success. I hope that by raising the matter today and getting this attention, the Senator will see that something is done about it.