Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that the Minister will make contact with regard to the local issues, but that is only part of the problem. The Tánaiste has outlined the record spending, and I anticipated this response to my question. The issue, however, is not about staff in Sligo University Hospital but about the hours of the staff being cut. It is not a recruitment issue but rather bad management, bad planning and complete neglect by the Government and the HSE in dealing with these issues. Installing the pumps for patients will save money. It is clearly outlined. Some €800 million per year is spent on dealing with problems from lack of treatment and lack of management. All these problems can be prevented by proper management and treatment. This is what is necessary for people. The Tánaiste's response about the record levels of spending will ring hollow to those who are without diabetes pumps. They rely on the pumps, which means they do not have the security to be able to get a job when they are without the pumps.

In 2017, there will be 11 children in Letterkenny University Hospital who will transition into adult services for diabetes care. There is a waiting list of 21 months for an appointment to see a consultant. This is unacceptable. All the Tánaiste's talk of extra funding makes no difference to those people's lives.

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