Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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291. To ask the Minister for Health the other options that are available to a person (details supplied) to obtain much needed hearing aids. [57112/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to ensuring that those suffering from hearing loss have access to the services they require, including access to affordable hearing aids.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides hearing aids and associated maintenance free of charge to children under the age of 18 and to adults with a medical card. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. In certain circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness.

Individuals who do not possess a medical card or who are not eligible for the Treatment Benefit Scheme would have to purchase hearing aids privately from a commercial provider. If the individual has private health insurance, it may cover hearing aid costs. Hearing aids are exempt from VAT and people may also be entitled to claim tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) on their purchase of hearing aids where prescribed by a practitioner.