Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 736 and 737 together.

The Department is committed to developing a national hearing care plan and is establishing a joint working group with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to progress this important work.

The Department has received proposals regarding the membership of the working group and is currently finalising the proposed membership and Terms of Reference for the working group for the approval of the Minister.

Once established, the working group will develop a hearing care plan that will consider the current status of hearing care provision and the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care to support improved access to services.

The initial consideration of the hearing care plan will be on the provision of care to adults, and the working group will make recommendations to the Minister in that regard. The Department will then engage with all relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of the recommendations made.

This work will take place in tandem with other efforts to improve health outcomes for all those suffering from hearing loss.