Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a case in respect of a person (details supplied) [27903/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health if the diabetic retinopathy screening programme will not commence in the first quarter of 2012; when it is anticipated that the screening programme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27906/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Retinopathy screening is ongoing in the Northwest region and in addition, the National Diabetes Working Group is developing - among other things - a national diabetic retinopathy screening programme through the National Screening Programme (NCSS) - which was formally requested earlier this year by the HSE National Directorate of Clinical Strategy and Programmes to start the development of the retinopathy screening programme. This work has started; however, the development of the programme will inevitably prove protracted given the scale of the work involved in establishing such a new programme - especially given the fundamental principle that quality assured outcomes for diabetic patients is not compromised; and on this basis, it is not anticipated that it will be ready to start in the first quarter of 2012. The NCSS will be in a position to provide an update on a start-date for the programme in January.