Jimmy Harte (Labour)

I welcome the Minister to the House. I commend him on his statement yesterday with regard to autism and the comments by Dr. Humphreys. I have experience of autism in my family. What he said was very hurtful and many people appreciate what the Minister said publicly.

In the Letterkenny area, the parents of children with paediatric type one diabetes are fearful that the service will not be focused in Letterkenny and will instead go to Sligo which would be unfair in their view. Donegal has a high number of people with type one diabetes compared to the rest of the country and to travel from Carndonagh or Buncrana, for example, to Sligo, would be a long journey, whereas a person in Sligo could go to Galway which is less of a journey. The service is good as it stands but these parents are concerned that they may be pushed aside in favour of Sligo. I ask the Minister for clarification in this regard.

The Minister is familiar with the situation in Lifford community hospital. I was born in that hospital and I know the area very well. When I visited it recently I met many of the patients, one of whom asked me to please ensure they were not moved out of their home because they regard the hospital as their home. Even though they may be moved to a more modern facility they like the familiarity of their own chairs and their own television. I ask that these considerations be addressed.