Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are back here again. This is the umpteenth time I have asked this question around Sligo diabetic services, particularly with regard to people with type 1 diabetes and access to the insulin pump. I gave the Minister a letter earlier which stated that, back in June, 30 adults were waiting to get access to this service, but they cannot get access to it because there is no specialist diabetic nurse in place to train them or to provide them with the service. It is over a year since I began raising this and I have raised it with the Minister umpteen times. I had a Topical Issue on the matter and the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, came in and read out a pile of waffle to me one night. I got angry with her and I said that the people who were blocking the service should be sacked. I do not think anyone has been sacked since and I do not think the service has been put in place since.

I have always had a good relationship with the Minister and always found him to be an honourable person. However, in this case, he is letting people down hugely. It is outrageous that there are up to 40 people who cannot get access to this service in the north-west.

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