Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1140. To ask the Minister for Health if the national clinical plan will provide support for type 1 diabetic patients under the age of 18 years through the deployment of continuous glucose monitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47510/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. In making a relevant reimbursement decision, the HSE is required under the Act to have regard to a number of criteria including clinical efficacy, the health needs of the public, cost effectiveness and potential or actual budget impact.

Currently, Consultant Endocrinologists may apply to the HSE, on behalf of specific patients with type 1 diabetes, for reimbursement support of FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring sensors. The application process is undertaken by means of a dedicated online portal, which has been operational since 3 April 2018. In line with the recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment Group, access to this product was made available to children and young adults, aged between 4 and 21 years of age. However, the online application process does cater for the Consultant to make an application in very exceptional circumstances for a type 1 diabetic patient who is over 21 years of age.

Other continuous glucose monitoring systems (e.g., Dexcom, Medtronic) are available for type 1 diabetic patients.

The Health Information and Quality Authority recently completed a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in respect of the provision of glucose monitoring systems to adults with Type I diabetes in Ireland. This was published on 29 September 2023 and is available at . The HTA advises the HSE that a single managed access programme with clearly defined eligibility criteria would improve equity of access and could help to control costs.

Officials in my Department engage with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services.