Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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2953. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the progress of the working group on the national hearing care plan; if she has received the report from the working group that was planned to be completed by end of quarter 2 as per the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42671/25]

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 Group is tasked with making recommendations around developing a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland. The Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Health and the HSE, and membership 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 have developed a workstream, including subgroups to progress important matters. The Group is considering the current level of hearing care provision in Ireland, current capacity constraints and opportunities within the HSE, and the appropriate linkage between public and private provision of care to maximise positive outcomes for patients, including reductions in waiting times. The Group is preparing an interim report, with recommendations, which will be sent to the Minister for review.