John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on diabetic retinopathy screening programme.

Deputy Deenihan's last point is very valid. In the last economic recession, Cadburys sales doubled as people ate more high-fat content and unnecessary foods. The diabetic retinopathy screening programme is an important national initiative based on pioneering work carried out in the north west. Diabetes is the single most common cause of blindness in Ireland. It is essential the Health Service Executive takes all available measures, based on international best practice, to prevent blindness occurring in patients with diabetes. It is also essential the programme is rolled out nationally as soon as possible.

Of the €15 billion spent annually on the HSE budget, very little is spent on preventive medicine. As Deputy Reilly stated earlier, for every €1,700 spent on an illness, €65 could have been spent on preventing it. If we are examining ways of getting value for taxpayers' money, then more should be spent on public health awareness campaigns to advise people how to safeguard their health. Only a fraction of the current budget is spent on such campaigns. Those campaigns against diabetes and obesity run in the UK needed to be implemented here. In schools, sporting and outdoor activities should be encouraged more. It is disappointing when sports capital grants are curtailed. Too many children these days spend too much time watching DVDs. Sport gives good value and encourages young people to get involved and away from the television. Alcohol abuse is another factor contributing to the rise of diabetes. Tackling diabetes is about encouraging people to take responsibility for their health by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet.

The national diabetic retinopathy screening initiative is important in increasing awareness among people about diabetes. However, it must be rolled out as soon as possible. BreastCheck, for example, is only now being rolled out in south Sligo when it has been a standard screening service in Northern Ireland for the past 25 years. Screening is money well spent for the health services.

Increasing awareness of the screening programme and encouraging people to avail of it can be done through many means. Local radio is an inexpensive way, particularly in these straitened times, to raise awareness of diabetes and preventive medicine. It is outrageous that diabetes is the single common cause of blindness in Ireland. It is important a national diabetes register is established, as a matter of priority, to ensure all patients can benefit from the service. It is equally important that the national screening programme be rolled out.

In the context of the HSE's budget going forward and the five-year envelope of funding for the Department, I am of the view that the best way to spend money is to create awareness. When one considers the development of gyms throughout the country, one realises that people are extremely conscious of their health. In the interest of expanding public health awareness, a poster campaign should be carried out in supermarkets, shopping malls, etc., in order to highlight the steps people should take to protect their health and to make known to them the initial symptoms of diabetes. If diabetes is detected early, it will reduce the cost to the State and improve people's quality of life and their life expectancy.

Diabetes has a major impact on people's lives, particularly in the context that they are obliged to inject with insulin or take other prescription drugs. The position in America with regard to obesity is appalling. A regulation was recently introduced in New York whereby restaurant menus must carry information relating to the fat content of each dish. Ireland followed New York's lead when it came to introducing a ban on smoking. It should do so again in the context of listing the fat content of dishes listed on restaurant menus. This would increase people's awareness with regard to what they are eating.

We engaged in a campaign in our schools to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables. In current circumstances, people are seeking value for money when they shop. However, I am aware from experience that customers, particularly those on lower incomes, tend to purchase many foods that are not good for their health.

I reiterate that diabetes is the most common cause of blindness. In that context, it is important to establish a national register of diabetics. It is also vital that the HSE adopt all the necessary measures, based on international best practice, to prevent blindness in those with diabetes. Furthermore, we must focus attention on public health awareness and the problem of obesity. The health budget amounts to some €15 billion. How little of this money is spent promoting public health awareness or the importance of preventative medicine?

There should be a major radio campaign in respect of diabetes and the problem of obesity. In addition, we should launch a campaign in schools in order to promote healthy eating practices among children. We should oblige people to take on board the message in respect of health awareness issues. If, as already stated, we follow the example of New York in respect of stipulating that the fat content of each dish on a restaurant menu be listed, it would be of major assistance.

General practitioners are on the front line with regard to the provision of health services. It would be a welcome development if they were provided with a user-friendly document listing the warning signs relating to diabetes for distribution to their patients.

I again welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this matter because the introduction of a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy is essential and such a programme should be rolled out nationally. I reiterate to the Minister of State that a national register of diabetics should also be established.

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