Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on the availability of cochlear ear implants for both ears (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7263/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Beaumont Hospital is the centre for delivering Ireland’s national cochlear implant programme with surgical provision for patients under six (6) years carried out in the Children’s University Hospital at Temple Street. Since the programme commenced seventeen years ago, over 700 patients have received cochlear implants. I am advised that Beaumont Hospital carried out over ninety cochlear implants in 2012 and that over seven hundred patients are currently under the care of the hospital programme which provides rehabilitation and programming on a recurring basis. I understand that Beaumont Hospital, HSE Management and the HSE’s Audiology Clinical Care Programme (ACCP) have met recently to discuss a joint process to identify the options for developing and resourcing a programme of simultaneous cochlear implantation in children into the future. An important element of this will be the development of clear clinical criteria to prioritise clients for assessment and follow on implantation. In relation to the specific patient queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.