Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-10-01
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

I thank Deputy Clendennen for raising this issue and for the real, practical examples he has given of the adverse impact when this service is not in place on people in their daily lives. I am informed that the diabetes day service in Mullingar is delivered by four whole-time equivalent nursing staff and one dietician, but I am also informed that currently there is only one staff nurse available for the team. Clearly, we have a recruitment issue here that needs to be addressed. I am reliably informed by the Minister and the HSE that every effort is being made to fill the vacancies as soon as possible. Existing patients will continue to be managed through the consultant diabetes outpatient clinics.
However, the Deputy is correct that the diabetes day service has been temporarily suspended from 1 October. I understand why this is not satisfactory to the Deputy's constituents. This must be temporary. It must be kept as brief as possible. I am told that they are making every effort to fill the vacancies but they also are looking at other solutions, as the Deputy suggested they need to do. Redeploying staff to reduce pressure on the service could, indeed, be one. Patients currently attending the diabetes day service are advised to continue following their existing care plans but also to attend consultant outpatient appointments as arranged. The impact of this needs to be minimised. Recruitment needs to be progressed quickly. I will ask the Minister for Health to keep Deputy Clendennen informed.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-10-01/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:01:00+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-10-01