15 Jul 2013, 13:28
The issue of cochlear ear implants will be on the agenda of the Committee on Health and Children when it meets with representatives from the Happy New Ear Campaign tomorrow, Tuesday, 16th July 2013.
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to meet with representatives of the Happy New Ear Campaign which is campaigning for bilateral cochlear car implants in Ireland. A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing.
Currently children in Ireland who receive the treatment only have cochlear implants placed in one ear which the parents have said is not best international practice. At our meeting tomorrow, we will have a chance to consider the topic of bilateral cochlear implantation in Ireland, in particular for children who are born with hearing loss.
Campaign representatives will also have an opportunity to discuss budgets, facilities, equipment and staffing they feel is necessary to cope with the demand of a bilateral implant programme and to provide the necessary standard of care to children who are deaf.”
The meeting will start at 5.30pm in Committee Room 2 tomorrow, Tuesdday, 16th July 2013.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here:
Media Enquires to:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
Committee Membership:
Deputies
Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Sandra McLellan, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Independent
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil
Senators
Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fianna Fáil
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent