I want to talk about a four year old boy from Dundalk - a wee lad called Billy - who was born profoundly deaf. When he was two and a half years old, he was given a cochlear implant. His mother has spoken about how he cried the first time he was able to hear noise. It was a hugely emotional time for the family. This is a very good example of how technology can improve lives. The problem is that Billy had to wait until he was two and a half because of funding issues.

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The level of funding set aside for such children in this State, who receive just one implant, continues to be inadequate. A single implant costs between €18,000 and €20,000. Internationally, it is considered best practice to implant both ears. The HSE accepts this. The provision of just one implant impairs the child's ability to distinguish where noises are coming from and limits his or her ability to hear in noisy places like classrooms and the Dáil Chamber. The big problem as the child grows is that the nerves to which the implant should be connected die if they are not being used, which means the hope of a further implant is lost. These children are in a race against time. This is a hugely important treatment for them and for other children who are born deaf. The cost is not prohibitive. I ask the Taoiseach to consult the Minister for Health and the Cabinet committee on health as part of an effort to secure agreement for the release of the funding resources that will allow for bilateral cochlear implants to be made available to all the children who are affected.

This is a most frustrating situation for parents and particularly for the children who require cochlear implants. I hope little Billy will be able to have his problem resolved in due course. Deputy Adams is aware that there are about 700 involved here every year and I think it is about 200 children. The average cost of a single cochlear implant is between €18,000 and €20,000. A decision was made in the United Kingdom to give bilateral implants to children and adults who need them. I understand that where surgery is required by children under the age of six, it is done at Temple Street Children's Hospital. I do not know the details of little Billy's case. A second implant is not provided in a number of these cases because of the particular circumstances of the case in question.

Beaumont Hospital, which deals with this in the main, has put forward its business proposal in regard to bilateral cochlear implants. A budget of €4.1 million is available this year for cochlear implants. I understand that 48 adults and 42 children were treated last year. I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Reilly, about this issue. He will consider the business proposal that Beaumont Hospital has submitted to the HSE in the hope that these cases can be dealt with efficiently and speedily. I understand that adults who are referred are seen within six to nine months. Children normally receive an implant within six to seven months, depending on the assessment of the multidisciplinary team. I will have the Minister examine the business proposition that has been put forward by Beaumont Hospital. As I have said, I do not know little Billy's particular case. The assessment of the multidisciplinary team will determine whether he is suitable for a bilateral cochlear implant.

I thank the Taoiseach for that answer. I have used Billy's case to personalise and humanise the issue. He has received a single cochlear implant. The point I am trying to make is that the doctors and the HSE are saying that best practice for children involves giving them two implants. The HSE estimates that the cost of doing this would be no more than €4 million, which is not an awful lot of money, even in these straitened times. Some of these children are not even diagnosed as being deaf until they are 18 months old.

A positive approach will be taken towards it. Since the programme began 17 years ago, 700 patients have received cochlear implants. Some 90 procedures were carried out in 2012, of which 48 involved adults, while 42 involved children. The Deputy is correct that in 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the United Kingdom recommended bilateral cochlear implantation as best practice for children. In Ireland, it is only single implantation that takes place, except in a very small number of cases in which children might have been the victims of meningitis or suffer from blindness.

Beaumont Hospital and HSE management have met to discuss the proposition made by Beaumont Hospital. The purpose of the meeting and others to follow was and is to identify the options for developing bilateral implementation processes for children. Obviously, an important element would be the development of very clear clinical criteria to prioritise the cases that should be dealt with.

I am glad the Deputy has raised the issue which is very important for parents and, more particularly, children. As I said, the process is under way. There is an allocation of €4.1 million this year and the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, will follow through with the HSE and Beaumont Hospital management in developing that process and putting in place clear criteria to see whether we should follow the decision taken in 2009 by the national institute in the United Kingdom on bilateral cochlear implantation. The Deputy will be kept informed on the matter.

Go raibh maith agat.