John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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573. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who applied for hearing aids under the treatment benefit scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the cost in each of the years in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4154/19]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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574. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the hearing aid grant was last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4155/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.

The numbers of applications for hearing aids under the Treatment Benefit scheme in the years 2016 to 2018 are detailed in the following table. There has been an increase in applications of over 50% in the last number of years; this included a significant increase since the self-employed first qualified for the scheme in March 2017.

The grant payable in respect of the purchase of hearing aids under the treatment benefit scheme is regularly reviewed in light of changes in technology and associated market costs.

The current grant available is 50% of the cost of the hearing aid, to a maximum of 500 euro per aid, (maximum of 2 aids in a 4 year period) and has been in place since 2012.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.