Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy makes a very fair point. The health service cannot presume that Letterkenny is just up the road from Galway. It is a significant journey to travel. We have talked previously about certain specialties, inlcuding cancer care, and the need at times for patients to travel to Galway, but, in general, as many clinics as possible should be held in Letterkenny to help patients in the north west. As I said to the Deputy, active recruitment is under way to try to fill the vacant consultant paediatrician post. Filling it would make a significant difference. I have asked the HSE to come back to me with further information in advance of our meeting with the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland. Obtaining a replacement to fill the post would be of significant assistance. In the meantime it is worth saying, as I mentioned, that paediatricians in Sligo and Letterkenny hospitals have undertaken additional training in order that they can keep the paediatric insulin pump therapy service running at both hospitals. There will be the development of a diabetes centre in the north west. Funded is provided in the capital plan for this year. I want to see paediatric services provided in the north west. I will be happy to discuss the matter further with the Deputy and the group when we meet next week.

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