366 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that people waiting for a BTE technology upgrade of the cochlear implant operation are not able to have the upgrade carried out due to the reduction in funding provided by his Department for this project; and if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied). [8566/02]

The national cochlear implant programme, which is based at Beaumont Hospital, is funded through the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department allocated €3.174 million in additional funding to the authority in 2002 to continue the development of national specialities in the region. The detailed application of these additional moneys is being dealt with by the ERHA in consultation with service providers, including Beaumont Hospital. Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons living in County Dublin rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the specific case referred to by the Deputy and to reply to her directly.