1263. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider measures to reduce the cost for those in need of hearing aids through increased PRSI allowance for the hearing aids, or subsidies or some way to assist older people reduce the unaffordable cost of hearing aids which can be in the region of €4,000 to €5,000. [43441/26]

The primary responsibility for hearing loss care is with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. However, my Department provides a financial grant towards the cost of hearing aids under the Treatment Benefit scheme.

The Treatment Benefit scheme provides certain dental, optical, and medical appliance support to insured workers, the self-employed and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions. These treatments are also available to an insured person's dependent spouse or partner, if applicable.

Under the medical appliance element of the scheme, my Department pays the cost of a hearing aid up to a maximum of €500 (€1,000 for a pair) once every four years for eligible persons. It will also pay the cost of repairs to aids, up to a maximum of €100 per aid once every four years.

My Department is represented on the National Hearing Care Plan Working Group which is jointly chaired by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. The Working Group has been tasked with developing recommendations for a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland. It is envisaged that the Working Group's Report will be finalised this year. Any recommendations in the Report relating to the Treatment Benefit scheme will be considered by my Department, taking into account the overall policy and budgetary context and the sustainability challenges facing the Social Insurance Fund.