Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide young children suffering from hearing deficiencies with digital hearing aids rather than analog hearing aids as is the current practice in view of the fact that the digital variety are far superior and that since her Department last examined the issue, three years ago, the price of digital hearing aids has reduced; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the existing provider of the analog hearing aids for children has informed the NRB and consequently the Health Service Executive that within two years they will cease to manufacture analog hearing aids in favour of manufacture of the superior digital hearing aids; her views on representations made directly to her Department from the Department of Education and Science urging her to cease the practice of providing analog rather than digital hearing aids citing the improvement that such a change would make in terms of a child's progress within the education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11664/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.