On February 13, I raised with the Taoiseach the issue of double cochlear implants for young children who are profoundly deaf. At the time, he committed to adopting a positive approach to this issue. I have also spoken to the Minister for Health twice about this matter. The Taoiseach will recall that on 13 February I raised the case of Billy Cairns, aged four from Dundalk. On 3 April he will undergo his fifth general anaesthetic of his short life to replace an existing faulty implant. Would it not be sensible that when he is getting that done, he would get the other ear fixed as well? If he does not, he might have to get several more general anaesthetics in the time ahead.

In Cork, Julie Anne Cunneen has received funding from a private donor.

She must be a member of Sinn Féin.

Her five-year old child, Liam, has one implant and fits the criteria for a second implant.

Despite Liam fitting the criteria, Beaumont Hospital will not carry out the operation because it has not been funded to do so. The hospital has stated it does not wish to make an exception because there are other children who need this treatment. Therefore, it has recommended that he travel to England. This five year old child could be left in a bizarre position where he has an implant in one ear put in place in Beaumont Hospital and one in the other put in place in a hospital in Britain. In such cases there is a need for regular check-ups; therefore, the child will have to travel within Ireland and to England for treatment. This does not make sense. None of us would wish to see our children having to go through this and I imagine the Taoiseach has costed it. We know the treatment is not hugely expensive and that it can make a great difference to the lives of the children concerned. Obviously, they need other supports also. The Taoiseach promised to raise the issue with the Minister for Health as a matter of urgency. One month on, will the Government fund the treatment for the children concerned?

The Deputy has raised this issue before and we addressed it at that stage. I spoke to the Minister for Health about it. As the Deputy will appreciate, I have no wish to single out an individual case, but obviously this is rather frustrating for the parents and, in particular, the young children who must meet this challenge. The Deputy is aware that since the programme commenced some 17 years ago, there have been approximately 700 cochlear implants. Approximately 90 per year are provided here.

The Deputy has raised the question of why there is not a dual implant system. This has been ongoing for a considerable number of years in Britain and Northern Ireland. I spoke to the Minister for Health about the matter and the Deputy received a letter from him. I can confirm for the Deputy that last week there was a good meeting between the HSE, the Department of Health and the organisation known as Happy New Ear. I understand the meeting was very positive. While the Minister has pointed out to the Deputy in his letter that it is a matter for the HSE and Beaumont Hospital to deliver their programmes, clearly the intention is to do something about it.

The Deputy has asked whether the young boy to whom he has referred will have a dual implant when he attends for his next examination. I cannot answer that question for him now, save to say I regard this as being a positive development. I understand the cost is approximately €20,000 in these cases and that they are reviewed as time passes. I can confirm for the Deputy that I have spoken directly to the Minister for Health who is interested in seeing whether the policy position that has applied in the United Kingdom for some time might be adopted in a similar way in Ireland. Last week there was great positivity about the meeting on this policy. I will keep the Deputy updated on the question arising from the specific case of the individual boy he has mentioned.

There are approximately 200 children awaiting a bilateral cochlear implant and it is accepted universally that it is far better for a child to have the implant placed in both ears as opposed to one. It is a matter of funding. I spoke to the parents at the meeting with the HSE last week. I also met the mothers of three of the children over the weekend and spoke to another by telephone. The cost is between €18,000 and €20,000, which is not prohibitive. The problem is that the young fellow in question, Billy Kearns, has not been told he will have the two implants on 3 April; on the contrary, there is a race against time because once a child goes beyond four years of age the nerve ends are not as receptive to the second implant.

We can look at this issue either way. It may be the case that there was a good meeting, depending on to whom one talks, but the fact is that the Government must make a decision. If it were to take a decision, it could make a profound difference to the lives of the children concerned. It is also bad economics because if the children do not receive this treatment, they will need special needs assistants and special educational support and so on. The need for these supports will be lessened if they undergo the procedure. I, therefore, appeal to the Taoiseach to take a positive decision on the issue and do the right thing by the children concerned.

The Deputy is right when he says there are approximately 200 children who have been deemed to be suitable for a second implant. However, it is also true to say not all parents want to proceed with a bilateral implant, even after such an assessment. I understand there are ten children who have received bilateral implants because of their specific medical condition. The Deputy is also correct when he says the cost is approximately €20,000. At issue, therefore, is an estimated €4 million. However, I assume that in the case of a child with a unilateral implant only when it comes up for review, analysis or updating would the time be appropriate to consider a bilateral implant. Normally, depending on the assessment of the multidisciplinary teams involved, it is between four and six months from the date of assessment to when a child receives a single implant. I confirm for the Deputy my understanding that the meeting which took place last week was very positive and that it is the intention to phase in the programme of bilateral implants in 2014. That is why I cannot confirm at this stage the position of the particular child or young boy the Deputy mentioned. The matter having been raised, the policy of bilateral implantation is being considered between Beaumont Hospital and the HSE. They met the Happy New Ear group last week when there was great positivity. There is an intention to introduce or phase in the procedure in 2014. I will keep the Deputy updated.

What about the child whom it was recommended should travel to England?

Bilateral implant procedures have been carried out in England for quite some time. There were occasions in the past when people who could not receive treatment here travelled abroad in specialist cases.

The child concerned can receive treatment here. I have a letter which indicates this.

I am sorry, Deputy, but I do not wish to discuss individual cases.

If the Deputy has a specific letter, perhaps he might show it to me. The Minister for Health is keen to have this matter addressed. The question of having the facility provided is being discussed between the HSE and Beaumont Hospital.