Kate Walsh (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to these statements. Members of the House know that I use statements on various issues to discuss diabetes. I regard it as an important subject. Therefore, I am delighted we are having this dedicated debate. I wish to pay tribute to my colleague, Senator Glynn. Since he discovered I was a diabetic he has been persistent in having diabetes spoken about in the House and, to a great extent, he has encouraged me to do the same. I do not wish to sound as if I am contradicting anyone but I have been a diabetic for 30 years and neither of my parents were diabetic.

Diabetes is an illness I have managed for 30 years and I wish to make four specific points. First, it has been noted that there are 250,000 diabetics in Ireland. Nine of out ten have type 2 diabetes. If the trend continues in this way, one third of men in Ireland will face increased risk of diabetes in the next ten years. I continue to stress the point that diabetes must not be thought of as a problem we face in the future. It is a real and current problem in Ireland. That we are having these statements is at least some recognition of that fact. I noted in this House in February that the Diabetes Federation of Ireland told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children about the need for a national diabetes strategy. I am interested in hearing all views on this issue.

My second point relates to diagnosis. While 250,000 people in Ireland are diabetic, the further 100,000, who are currently undiagnosed, pose a specific challenge. Men, in particular, although not exclusively, are poor when it comes to regular check ups. Would this be as much of a problem if it were more widely known that undiagnosed type 2 diabetes is the primary cause of heart disease, kidney disease, lower limb amputation and blindness in those under 65? People must go for a check up. Diabetes is detected by a simple blood test which is quick and relatively painless, but so important. Until we begin to tire of stating this message, we have not said it often enough. People should check their family history of diabetes, look at their levels of physical activity and realise that the likelihood of developing diabetes goes up with age. I would have thought I did enough running around here to have fulfilled my exercise quota for the day but, according to Senators Glynn and Browne, and possibly Senator O'Meara, I have not done enough. I will not, however, walk to Celbridge.

My third point relates to the less well-known effects of diabetes. In 2003, it is estimated that there were 900 inpatient discharges for diabetes. This treatment cost over €3.5 million. That is a cost of over €4,500 for each diabetic. We cannot ignore the implications. Financial cost is not the most important issue but it cannot be ignored. My fourth point is that early diagnosis of diabetes will have profound consequences for our wider health service in that there will be fewer eye problems, lower levels of cardiovascular disease, fewer amputations and fewer cases of renal failure.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has worked hard on this issue for all the right reasons. She has expressed her concern and, more importantly, her commitment to dealing with diabetes. We know that chronic illness must be managed in our communities. Admission to hospital for diabetes has increased by one third annually while we know the most appropriate way to deal with the illness is at community level.

As I stated in this House two months ago, I understand a major element of the negotiations held with doctors was on how chronic illness can be managed at primary care level. I commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, the Ministers of State and the Department on their work and initiatives in dealing with diabetes. I also wish to repeat the most important messages. Diabetes is detected by a simple blood test, people should check their family history and levels of physical activity, and the likelihood of developing diabetes increases with age.