Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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666. To ask the Minister for Health if he will detail the grants available for children and persons who are profoundly deaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22736/13]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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667. To ask the Minister for Health if deafness is considered to be a disability under legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22737/13]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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668. To ask the Minister for Health if there is an official register for persons/children who are profoundly deaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22738/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 666 to 668, inclusive, together.

There is no register of persons who are profoundly deaf. All paediatric clients and clients with a medical card are entitled to community audiology services and repairs of their hearing aids. The Department of Social Protection also provide a grant for hearing aids. The Minister does not classify specific medical illnesses or conditions as a disability. There are a number of definitions of disability contained in legislation e.g. Disability Act 2005, the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004, the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Acts, Equal Status Acts and used for particular purposes e.g. the Census and the qualifying criteria for income supports such as the Domiciliary Care Allowance, Disability Allowance etc. These definitions define disability in terms of an individual's functional ability in their environment, rather than a medical diagnosis or condition.