I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 338 together.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a range of hearing services free of charge to children under the age of 18. This includes screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and devices, as needed, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. These services are provided to children referred from child health service and school health service examinations who are discovered to have hearing problems.
The HSE also offers assessment and rehabilitation for adult medical card holders, free of charge. This includes the provision, fitting and repair of appropriate hearing aids.
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, primarily based on an assessment of means. 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. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment.
The Treatment Benefit Scheme is funded by the Social Insurance Fund and administered by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliance benefits to qualified people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. This includes up to €1,000 for a pair of hearing aids, and up to €100 toward repairs, within a 4-year calendar period. Changes to the Treatment Benefit Scheme, including the level of the grant etc, would be a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
The National 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 clinicians, the Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (ISHAA), the Irish Academy of Audiology (IAA), and the Department of Social Protection.
The Working Group has been tasked with developing recommendations for a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland. To support this, a structured workstream has been developed, including subgroups focused on progressing priority issues. Significant progress has been made to date.
The scope of the work being considered by the Group has expanded beyond initial expectations, which has impacted on the timeline of the delivery of the report. The Group saw this as an opportunity to deliver a more comprehensive plan that considers all aspects of audiology care, thus ensuring the greatest benefit to patients. A public consultation process is due to commence this month, with the National Hearing Care Plan to be finalised in Q2 2026.
