James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

My understanding is that the report was completed last September. Is the Minister of State saying that is not the case or is she saying that, despite being completed last September, the HSE has only received it now? Perhaps she will correct the record of the House for me. I understood the report was completed last September.

I agree it will be an excellent model of care but "will" is an unfortunate word. When will it come into use? We have known for some time about diabetes. The issues around models of care have been tried in other countries and on a pilot basis in this country, but we are still waiting for yet another report. This is like reinventing the wheel; the knowledge exists and the outcomes have been proven. The basis for going ahead with a national programme for diabetic care under a chronic illness model is to be welcomed. When will this happen and why are funds that were put aside in specific cases not being used? As I asked the Minister earlier, what will the Government do about this situation in which its policy objectives can be usurped by the HSE? For one reason or other budgets are not spent and are used for other purposes. This is a serious question that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, should answer.

See this speech in context