Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the allocation of €3.2 million in funding under the HSE Service Plan for cochlear implants, saying that this will transform the lives of children who have been waiting for this procedure for some time.

“I am delighted that €3.2 million has been allocated under the HSE Service Plan for cochlear implants. I have met with the consultant ENT surgeon, Ms. Laura Viani, as well as family groups who I been working closely with, to campaign for the provision of funding for children who require cochlear implants.

“In 2012, Beaumont Hospital carried out over 90 cochlear implants and over 700 patients are currently under the care of the hospital programme which provides rehabilitation and programming on a recurring basis. This allocation of €3.2 million will go some way towards alleviating the pressure on the cochlear implant programme.”