Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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677. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the work of the National Hearing Care Plan Working Group; when the group’s recommendations are expected to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13304/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Health established the National Hearing Care Plan Working Group in August 2024.

The Hearing Care Plan Working Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. Membership of the Working Group is drawn from relevant stakeholders, including the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, the Irish Academy of Audiology, and the Department of Social Protection.

The Group is tasked with making recommendations around developing a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland. This work is ongoing and will consider, among other things, the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care to maximise positive outcomes for patients.

The Working Group are progressing work to meet the target set out in the Terms of Reference to produce a draft Plan by end of Q2, 2025.

Further information regarding the Working Group, including its Terms of Reference, can be found at:

www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e68ec-minister-for-health-establishes-national-hearing-care-plan-working-group/