Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The incidence of diabetes is of growing concern and importance. When listening to the proceedings of a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children I heard the chief medical officer from the Department of Health say that the number of diabetics in this country will increase to 250,000 over the next couple of years and that this could be prevented through education, diet and activity. Deputy Pringle will have heard expressed this morning the growing concern about the levels of obesity here and the associated costs of addressing the consequences in that regard. There is no legal basis for treatment based on catchment areas. The Minister has advised all hospitals of this. I do not know the details of the facility in Letterkenny of which the Deputy speaks. However, as a result of action taken by the Minister and HSE there are now 800 fewer children on waiting lists, some of whom are in the category referred to by the Deputy. The new emergency department in Letterkenny General Hospital is now open and roll-out has commenced of a diabetes programme which involves the recruitment of 17 nurse practitioners, which will be of assistance in addressing this issue.

I acknowledge that it is difficult for parents to have to travel long distances to access treatment for their children. I have seen them in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin over many years. It is hoped the recruitment of the 17 nurse practitioners will have an impact. As I said, the Minister has already informed all hospitals that there is no legal basis for confinement based on catchment area. I hope this will improve the position for the parents of the children of whom the Deputy speaks.

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