Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome my constituency colleague. In the current climate it is easy to fall into the trap of being penny wise and pound foolish. Yesterday at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade we had an example where the Irish Exporters Association and IBEC referred to the fact that some of our offices abroad had reduced the number of individuals promoting trade, which is necessary for growth in the economy. This is a prime example of being penny wise and pound foolish.

I call on the Minister of State to make a statement on the increase in the incidence of diabetes related foot ulcers and amputations; to clarify the status of the podiatry post at Wexford General Hospital sanctioned in April; and to state when the position will be filled. Podiatrists cost approximately ¤100,000, which includes salary costs and expenses. The cost of employing a podiatrist to work with diabetes patients would be offset by the saving in preventing three hospital admissions with foot ulcers. Treating a foot ulcer can cost ¤30,000 and cause someone to be in hospital for months. If there is a need for amputation as a consequence, it leads to the making of disability payments. A huge contingent liability is attached to not dealing with this issue.

Podiatrists are able to refer persons at risk and train nurses in GP practices to screen for foot related problems. A failure to fill the position in question is resulting in an increased incidence of foot ulcers and amputations in the area. In tackling diabetes in the community it is critical to keep persons with health complications out of hospital, healthy and mobile. I am speaking about the hospital in Wexford, but I could equally make the point about hospitals in Waterford, Kerry, Kilkenny, Mullingar, Drogheda and Cavan, as well as Beaumont Hospital and the Mater Hospital. There has been much evidence of an increase in the rate of diabetes, as the Minister of State would acknowledge. Therefore, the participation of this profession is essential if we are to curtail the consequences of diabetes.

Will the Minister of State guarantee that the post will be filled immediately? He knows the HSE specifically exempted Wexford in the latest round of the recruitment embargo in July, but the post has still not been filled. Funding for it was allocated in the HSE South 2012 podiatry business case budget and approved by the regional director of the HSE. Why, despite the allocation of funding and the granting of approval, has the post not been filled? I appeal to the Minister of State and the Minister for Health to take immediate action to fill the post in Wexford and, by extension if one accepts the argument made, elsewhere also. Failure to do so will lead to a huge additional cost to the State. This post will pay for itself in terms of preventive measures and is absolutely essential.