Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider introducing a National Foot Screening Programme as part of the treatment of diabetic foot disease; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41959/10]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will consider introducing a National Foot Screening Programme as part of the treatment of diabetic foot disease; the estimated cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42377/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 130 together.

Earlier this year the Health Service Executive (HSE) established the National Diabetes Programme under its Quality & Clinical Care Directorate. It identified three priority areas for implementation on a national basis. A national diabetes footcare programme is one of these high priority areas. This is consistent with my Department's published policy on diabetes. A Clinician Programme Director for Diabetes has been appointed and he is currently engaging with all stakeholders, including the Diabetic Federation of Ireland, clinicians and podiatrists to establish a multidisciplinary footcare package for diabetic patients. The programme is intended to establish referral pathways with rapid access to specialised care within a multidisciplinary foot care service. The initiative is currently in an advanced planning stage. A full costing of the national footcare programme is not available at this time but funding will be provided within the existing resources available to the HSE.