Written answer
Health Services
The Minister confirmed that the HSE does not currently provide assessment or management services for auditory processing disorder, which requires a multidisciplinary approach. A National Hearing Care Plan is being developed following public consultation, but no specific APD service timeline was given; implementation will depend on priorities and available funding.
3309. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the provision of public services for people with auditory processing disorder (APD); to provide an update on funding approved in 2023 for development of an APD service; to provide an update whether the proposal for the multidisciplinary team has been revisited in the light of changes to recruitment controls; the timeline for a publicly funded APD assessment and support pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59859/26]
Comment on this
3315. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the current status of proposals to establish a multidisciplinary auditory processing disorder service within the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59897/26]
Comment on this
3316. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health whether the proposed recruitment of staff for a dedicated auditory processing disorder service, previously delayed due to recruitment controls, has been revisited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59900/26]
Comment on this
3323. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health if funding approved in 2023 for the development of a dedicated auditory processing disorder assessment and support service remains available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59895/26]
Comment on this
3324. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health what barriers currently remain to the establishment of a publicly funded auditory processing disorder) assessment and support pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59904/26]
Comment on this
3325. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of a publicly funded auditory processing disorder diagnostic and support service for children and adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59907/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3309, 3315, 3316, 3323, 3324 and 3325 together.
The National Hearing Care Plan Working Group, established by the Minister for Health, is jointly chaired by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Membership is drawn from relevant stakeholders, including clinicians, representative bodies, and other government agencies.
The Working Group has been tasked with developing recommendations for a holistic model of hearing care in Ireland. A public consultation was recently conducted and the responses received are informing the drafting of the National Hearing Care Plan.
The HSE Community Audiology service has a specific remit to undertake hearing assessments and provide management options for eligible patients identified with a hearing loss due to a defined quantifiable measure of loss of hearing sensitivity, which may be unilateral or bilateral.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition where the brain struggles to process sounds correctly despite a person having normal hearing. It is a complex condition to diagnose and requires a multidisciplinary team as per international best practice standards. The HSE does not currently provide a service for the assessment and management of children or adults with suspected APD.
The implementation of the recommendations arising from the drafting of the National Hearing Care plan will be carried out on a priority and phased basis, subject to the commitments in the Programme for Government, other health priorities, and the budget available.