Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Health if the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) will be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The HSE published the report of the National Audiology Review Group (NARG) in April 2011. The recommendations contained in the report address each of the current issues and campaign priorities listed by the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

In particular, the Review Group researched and developed a national model for newborn hearing screening. The first phase of the roll out of the newborn hearing screening programme commenced in Cork University Hospital on 26th April last and was extended to Waterford and Wexford Maternity Hospitals in November. It is expected that the service will be extended to Kerry by the end of this year and the remainder of HSE South Maternity Hospitals by early 2012. This covers approximately 19,384 births (including home births) or slightly over 25% of all births. The aim of the programme is to ensure that children identified as suffering from permanent hearing impairment will have access to audiological services by six months of age. The HSE is committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Report on a phased basis over the next number of years.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for Health if he will explain the reason materials requested under the Freedom of Information Act were not provided in the case of a person (details supplied); the reason letters sent to the Health Service Executive in respect of same were not acknowledged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/11]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive failed to respond to a freedom of information application made in the case of a person (details supplied) by letters dated 14 July 2009, 16 February 2011, 2 March 2011 and 28 March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37001/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.

As I have previously advised the Deputy, most recently in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 9th November 2011, the Health Service Executive is an entirely separate organisation for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Acts and provisions exist within those Acts if a body fails to meet its statutory obligations. I might add that no formal FOI request was included in the correspondence attached to this Parliamentary Question and that on the substantive issue, i.e. the care provided to the individual concerned, I have been advised by the HSE that the individual concerned has been provided with the highest level of care and that his solicitor has been fully appraised of all decisions made in relation to his client.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Question 505: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding services available to children at a day care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37020/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.