Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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586. To ask the Minister for Health if he will facilitate and attend a follow-up meeting with members of a group (details supplied) to discuss the issues facing diabetes services in Saolta Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18062/17]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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627. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a date for a follow-up meeting with a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18255/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 627 together.

A Paediatric Insulin Pump Services was initiated in May 2015. This service is based in Sligo University Hospital, with outreach clinics in Letterkenny University Hospital.

The Saolta University Healthcare Group has confirmed that the Consultant Paediatrician with Speciality Interest in Diabetes, who was instrumental in commencing this service, is leaving this post in mid-April. The Saolta Group has recently advised my Department that a consultant paediatrician has been appointed to this post on a temporary basis.

The permanent post is to be filled through public competition via the Public Appointments Service; this process is on-going. In order to address continuity, the clinical service arrangements for the management of the insulin pump service are currently being examined in consultation with the relevant clinical teams.

I have committed to meeting with Diabetes Ireland again and look forward to this being arranged as soon as my diary allows. In the meantime, my officials are preparing responses to recent correspondence from the Group.