Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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282. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to tackle the long waiting lists for audiology tests; his plans to establish a Departmental working group to assist in developing a cohesive, efficient and caring strategy that addresses the hearing needs of the Irish adult population and in turn, reduces the financial health burden on the State in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53946/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Audiology Review Group (NARG) Report, published by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2011, identified shortcomings in audiology services including access issues, poor information, inadequate staffing, and unacceptable waiting times and made recommendations to address these issues.

While many of these recommendations have been implemented, including the rollout of a National Audiology Clinical Management system for community and acute services, there is still much work to do in relation to the community audiology waiting lists. These have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the HSE is actively looking at all options to increase activity and minimise patient wait times nationally.

The proposal to establish a working group to assist in developing an updated strategy that addresses the hearing needs of the Irish population will be considered by the Department.

As this PQ also raises a service matter in regard to the audiology waiting lists, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.