Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Lynch for raising this matter, which I will take on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

As the Deputy will be aware, operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services falls within the remit of the Health Service Executive. This includes responsibility for the provision and development of paediatric diabetes services at Cork University Hospital. The hospital currently employs one general paediatric consultant with a special interest in diabetes and endocrinology. A part-time clinical nurse specialist is also employed at the hospital. A full-time clinical nurse specialist post for the paediatric service will be advertised in coming weeks. This post is a development of the service and will address some of the current issues around the education and resources of the service.

The management of the hospital met with patient forum groups in February to discuss the issues surrounding the service. Hospital management has reported that the suggestions made at this meeting are currently being examined. The development of the paediatric diabetes service remains a priority for the executive management board of Cork University Hospital. The Tánaiste is confident that the Health Service Executive will continue to monitor the delivery of this service to ensure that the needs of the service users are prioritised and met.

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