Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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646. To ask the Minister for Health when a dietician for adults can be provided at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58817/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Diabetes services at Portlaoise Hospital provide care for patients with paediatric, adult and gestational diabetes. The services provide treatment for patients as part of a multidisciplinary team comprised of Consultant Endocrinologists, Dieticians, Clinical Nurse Specialists in Diabetes for adults and children, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and a Podiatrist.

Currently, 86 children with Type 1 Diabetes are attending the hospital, with 49 patients receiving insulin pump therapy. It is estimated that approximately 11 patients will transfer to the adult service in 2022 and a further 14 will transfer in 2023.

The HSE is committed to working with Portlaoise Hospital to maintain and improve Diabetes services, including through further development of the adult insulin pump service.

The 2021 National Service Plan recognised the need for an unprecedented expansion of the permanent health workforce through permanent appointments. Funding has been provided for an increase to approximately 135,655 WTE across the health service by December 2021, which is an increase of 15,838 WTE over funded 2020 levels. There is significant workforce recruitment underway. The HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy identifies the specific roles and grades to be hired.

Funding for additional staffing or other service developments must be considered in the context of competing priorities and available resources.