Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the proposals made by Diabetes Action in relation to diabetic paediatric services (details supplied). [16735/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes - which includes the care of children and adolescents with diabetes - is established within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. This programme has a Clinical Lead appointed through the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI). The working group is made up of a multi-disciplinary team with representation from a number of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Podiatrists, GPs etc. The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is also a member of this working group. The National Diabetes Working group is working through a number of key objectives, including the implementation of projects such as Diabetes Retinopathy Screening and a multi-disciplinary Foot care package for patients with diabetes.

The National Clinical Programme for Diabetes - which is working on care for children and adolescents with diabetes to be considered for inclusion in the 2012 HSE Service Plan - is also actively designing an Integrated Care solution, for inclusion within the Chronic Disease Watch process in collaboration with the Primary Care National Clinical Programme. With a newly established National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics, the whole area of improved services for children and adolescents with diabetes will be examined in detail and solutions worked through.