€7m promised for surgery to ensure 350 children can hear fully

The HSE has finally committed to funding a long-delayed double surgery that can bring hearing to more than 350 deaf children.

Health Minister James Reilly told the Oireachtas Health Committee yesterday that approximately €7m has been “put aside for next year” to ensure bilateral cochlear ear implants can take place in Ireland.

The delicate procedure addresses deafness caused by damage to the cochlea.