John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the low uptake of hearing aids; her further views on whether cost is a barrier to low and middle-income workers when it comes to accessing hearing aids and the severe repercussions on health and well-being as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37864/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The uptake of grants towards the purchase of hearing aids under the Departments Treatment benefit scheme has seen a 100% increase over the last 10 years, with almost €80m spent on the scheme over that period.

Access to hearing aids is provided for under the Departments PRSI scheme and the HSE parallel scheme, which provides medical card holders with access to free hearing aids.  The availability provided under the two schemes offers access to quality hearing aids to all sectors of society, either completely free or with a significant grant payable towards their cost.

The Department encourages those who require hearing aids to avail of the relevant scheme to ensure they get the appropriate device to match their needs. 

Any changes to the current arrangements would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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221. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider restoring the hearing aid grant available under treatment benefit to pre-FEMPI levels as has happened with optical and dental benefits; her plans to make access to hearing aids more affordable and equitable for persons with hearing loss; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37865/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department’s Medical Appliance scheme, which provides grants to assist in the purchase of hearing aids, is available to those who have the required number of PRSI contributions, and their dependant spouse / partners. 

The number of applications for hearing aids under the scheme has been rising in recent years, from 7,500 grants paid in 2009 to 14,600 in 2018. The extension of the scheme to the self employed in March 2017 has also proved to be very popular.

Access to hearing aids is provided for both under the Department's PRSI scheme and the HSE's parallel scheme, which provides medical card holders with access to free hearing aids.  The two schemes provide access to quality hearing aids to all sectors of society, irrespective of their income category.

The numbers claiming under the scheme over recent years and the payments made by my Department bear testimony to the important contribution the scheme is making for PRSI contributors and their dependant spouse/partners who are experiencing hearing loss.  

Any changes to the current arrangements in respect of these benefits would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.