Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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251. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase capacity in HSE audiology clinics; if consideration is being given to offering adult medical card holders the option to be assessed and treated by community audiologists under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) offer hearing assessments to adult medical card holders, including advice on the use of assistive listening devices and the provision, fitting and repairs of appropriate hearing aids.

In addition to this entitlement, the Treatment Benefit Scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection, provides a grant towards the purchase of hearing aids for those who have the necessary PRSI contributions to qualify. A dependant spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a qualified person may also be entitled to assistance.

The HSE continues to consider viable options to increase capacity and to reduce its community audiology waiting lists.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.