Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Tuesday was National Diabetes Day. Diabetes is a condition with which approximately 300,000 people in this country live. We do not know the exact number because we do not have a national register. I have been working with Labour Party councillor, Mr. John Maher, in Cork, who lives with diabetes, on raising awareness and trying to force the Government into more action in this area. I have three different requests and I would like the Minister to bring to Government. Will the Government commit to providing a national register of people with diabetes? Will it commit to providing a ten-year strategic plan to ensure that people with diabetes have a plan for better care? Will it - and this is important - ensure that pregnant women with gestational diabetes are included in the long-term illness scheme? People are 65% more likely to develop diabetes if they have gestational diabetes. This issue is not getting enough attention. It has not been brought up at the health committee and has not been the subject of enough action on the part of the Government.

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