Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I second the motion before the House. The issue of diabetes is of increasing significance, particularly in the western and developed worlds. According to the statistics, 5% of Ireland's population have diabetes. Where it remains undiagnosed or poorly controlled, it can lead to severe complications, including having adverse effects on the eyes and kidneys, nerve damage and vascular complications. The consequences of controlling diabetes poorly vary. It results in an increased susceptibility to hospital admissions and poor health. In terms of vascular complications, almost 2,500 people were admitted to hospital for the treatment of foot ulcers in my area of south Dublin between 2005 and 2009. Of these, one third had diabetes, while 186 had limbs amputated, a severe consequence. Not only must the people affected live with and try to manage a condition that, in many instances, is preventable, they must do so with a physical disability.

In terms of the economic consequences, the condition can have implications for employment and people's day-to-day quality of life, but it can also affect others. In these days of tight health budgets, an estimated 10% is spent on treating diabetes-related conditions. At the current rate of increase in diagnosis and acquisition of this condition, it is estimated that figure could climb as high as 25% in coming years. That is a very significant proportion of health spending, especially when we consider that in a significant number of cases we could have prevented the onset of the condition in the first instance.

I shall give examples of health care spending. Nationally, and in only one area, namely, foot care or podiatry, we spent in excess of €250 million between 2005 and 2009 on conditions related to diabetes. In Dublin South the figure spent was almost €26 million for those four years. These are significant sums of money and, therefore, I very much welcome the establishment this year of the national diabetes programme under the governance of the quality and clinical care directorate of the HSE. I support its five key objectives which include screening, retinopathy screening and the establishment of a national diabetes register to progress foot care services and facilitate the integration of diabetes services between primary and secondary care. Most important is the development of strategies to improve diabetic control and risk reduction to prevent the onset of diabetes or diabetic complications.

There are two aspects I wish to mention to the Minister of State which are in the areas of prevention and podiatry. Senator Feeney spoke about the importance lifestyle plays and listed the seven factors that cause diabetes. I will not repeat them but reiterate the emphasis she placed on lifestyle factors. Significantly, if one considers such factors as nutrition, exercise and control of tobacco and alcohol consumption, investing in a programme to encourage people to take responsibility for their lifestyle and commence healthier lifestyles has very positive implications not only in the area of diabetes but across all areas of our physical and mental health. I was very struck when I read some of the material that, with the exception of one that was omitted, REM-sleep, the lifestyle factors which have been identified are all those we would use to promote positive mental health. For example, we know obesity, which is strongly linked to the onset of diabetes, has implications for other areas of health. Although I know we are in a time of very tight budgets and it is a struggle to distinguish what we can afford to invest in to get a relatively quick return and what must put on hold for a while, investing the money in promoting healthy lifestyles is good. This applies not only to diabetes but also to the physical and mental well-being of people.

I welcome, as will many others, that the national diabetes programme will place a particular emphasis on the delivery of services in the area of podiatry. If it is the case, as is demonstrated by international research, that we can reduce diabetic foot disease by more than 50% through foot screening and an annual check-up for each person with diabetes, the investment of approximately €1.56 million per annum would provide a nationwide service and significantly reduce costs. Given that the consequences of diabetes can occur very quickly, this investment is one for which we might see a very quick economic return, never mind the positive impact for individuals.

I acknowledge and welcome the fact that a degree course has been available since 2008 and that the first graduates will come from that programme in 2011. The diabetes programme we now have is a good opportunity to make the most of these graduates and ensure we do not lose their newly acquired expertise and training to services abroad but keep them in Ireland and see a practical and concrete return on the investment we have made in their education.