Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Funding of €750,000 has been allocated for 2009 and a recruitment process is in train. Several speakers referred to podiatry, while others, including Deputy Perry, raised the issue of a diabetic register. This matter is under consideration in the HSE which is working on details. The issue of consultant diabetic posts was also raised. The number of posts has been increased and figures show it has increased from 24 in 2003 to 38 in 2007. While I do not have figures for 2008, a number of additional appointments have been made in the meantime.

Deputy Reilly made an important point about lifestyle, including the prevalence of overweight and obesity. As Minister of State with special responsibility for health promotion, I am committed to the development and implementation of various initiatives aimed at addressing the lifestyle conditions which can lead to the development of certain chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. I am aware that Deputies are concerned about this form of the condition as it accounts for 90% of cases in Ireland. It is considered that one of the factors leading to the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes is the rise in overweight and obesity in our population, an issue to which several Deputies alluded.

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