Vol. 529 No. 1
579 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has given consideration to the appointment of a representative from his Department to serve on the expert group on diabetes service development to make recommendations for the future planning and implementation of comprehensive diabetes care for those with diabetes regardless of age or location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1307/01]
616 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a request from the Diabetes Federation of Ireland regarding the establishment of an expert group on diabetes services development; if so, his response and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1450/01]
718 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in setting up an expert group on diabetes service development; its terms of reference, membership, date of establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 616 and 718 together.
The Diabetes Federation of Ireland wrote to my Department's chief medical officer on 18 December 2000 advising that they propose to set up an expert group on diabetes service development. They have invited representation from my Department on the group. One of the group's terms of reference will be to consider the report of the St. Vincent task force group, which was published recently.
The recommendations of the report will form the basis for an overall policy on this important public health issue. I am to be formally presented with the report in the coming weeks. Following consideration of the report my Department will respond to the Diabetes Federation of Ireland in relation to its proposal.
