James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide figures for the numbers of persons in each county and categorised by ages nought to 30, 31 to 65, 65 years and over that were registered as blind here since 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38736/10]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide figures for the numbers of persons in each county and categorised by ages nought to 30, 31 to 65, 65 years and over that have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and were registered as blind here since 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38737/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. There is no State system for the registration of people with a visual impairment. However, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland operates a system of registration for people with a visual impairment. If you are registered with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, this registration is usually accepted as satisfying the blindness criteria for State schemes such as Blind Pension, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Blind Welfare Allowance. The National Council for the Blind of Ireland provides a range of services to over 15,500 people with a wide range of visual impairments, including those who are blind as a result of diabetic retinopathy.

The Deputy will be aware that diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. Good diabetes control reduces the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy screening is a priority for the Health Service Executive's National Diabetes Programme.

My Department has asked the National Council for the Blind of Ireland for the information sought. My Department will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.