Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. There are several issues that I wish to raise. The disability matters committee has had really good engagement on deafness and hearing loss. Hearing loss has often been referred to as an invisible disability, not just because of the lack of visible symptoms but because it has been really stigmatised. There is invisibility in policymaking and I could honestly say the issue is ignored by policymakers. There does not appear to be a strategy or plan for hearing care, either in the health system or the education system. I am appealing for proper research and data on this because unfortunately there is none. Some 80% to 90% of children with hearing loss go to mainstream schools but there are absolutely no data showing how they are getting on or how they are supported. We absolutely must provide the data.

The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, said primary schools will have the opportunity to teach a second language. There is no reason that could not be sign language. I know of a community that has done this extremely well. Maggie Owens, who is deaf, teaches in Cabra and lives in Athy, has developed a wonderful community called Athy Sing & Sign. Young people in the community have formed their own signing choir and do events. In fact, they were in Leinster House last year. There should be more of this in the Parliament.

I also want to raise the issue of septic tanks. I note that 63% of septic tanks failed inspections last year in my county, County Kildare, according to the EPA. That has to be a concern for all of us because we all have to play our part in protecting our local environment. There is a good grant scheme to assist householders in carrying out works to rectify defective septic tanks. This is administered by our local authorities; 85% of costs are eligible for recoupment, and eligibility is not means-tested. The scheme is undergoing a full review. If people have concerns about it, now is the time to make them known. It is really important that everybody get involved.

The final issue I want to raise is based on an article I read recently that states seven people have died over the past 18 months having had plastic surgery or dental surgery carried out abroad. The most recent case involved a man who had dental surgery in Turkey. This is of great concern. We need more awareness because many of the systems abroad are unregulated and have unregistered practitioners. There are obviously some very good systems but the Department of Health absolutely needs to roll out an awareness campaign.