Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
805. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to recruit additional staff to alleviate lengthy wait times for audiology appointments nationally in Dublin north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35857/25]
View answer806. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the anticipated timeline for the reduction of wait times for audiology appointments with the recruitment of additional staff for the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35858/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 805 and 806 together.
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 (HSE). 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, including reductions in wait times. 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/
In the meantime, €750k has been allocated as once-off funding in 2025 to address children’s waiting lists as part of the Waiting List Action Plan. The HSE advise that the Audiology for Children and Young People Framework Tender documents have been finalised and will be published soon. Once the Framework is established, with suitable external providers identified, the once-off funding will be allocated to Regional Executive Offers (REOs) on a pro-rata basis to ensure that the longest waiting children can be seen.
