During the past year we have heard about hospitals in Dublin refusing treatment to patients nationwide because they are not from within the catchment area. At times the treatment sought is so specialised that it has not been available outside Dublin. We have also seen that services in hospitals are kept below a line running from Galway to Dublin. Citizens living to the north and north west are being forced to travel long distances to access treatment.

I wish to raise an issue which does not concern the provision of highly specialised treatment. For a modest investment the Government could make the lives of more than 100 children easier and save the health service multiples of the cost in the future. In September Diabetes Ireland submitted a business case to the HSE for the provision of insulin pump services for children at Letterkenny General Hospital. At an estimated cost of €95,000, insulin pump services could be provided for the 138 children who access diabetes care services in Letterkenny.

Currently, 20 families must travel to Dublin, which journey takes five to six hours, to access care. For many, the decision in terms of the logistics and costs involved in travelling to access treatment is a difficult one.

The priority of Government should be the provision of equal access to treatment for patients. Where one lives in the country should not be the deciding factor in whether one gets treatment. Some 50% of children with diabetes develop long-term complications. Properly controlling insulin levels in childhood can reduce the long-term effects of the condition. This investment will have long-term benefits for the health budget and will improve the quality of life of sufferers.

Does the Deputy intend asking a question?

Will the Taoiseach accept that this investment will save money in the long term through a reduction in the risk of complications from diabetes and will he ensure budget 2013 makes provision for insulin pump therapy for children in Donegal through Letterkenny General Hospital and in other regional areas identified by the expert advisory group?

The incidence of diabetes is of growing concern and importance. When listening to the proceedings of a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children I heard the chief medical officer from the Department of Health say that the number of diabetics in this country will increase to 250,000 over the next couple of years and that this could be prevented through education, diet and activity. Deputy Pringle will have heard expressed this morning the growing concern about the levels of obesity here and the associated costs of addressing the consequences in that regard. There is no legal basis for treatment based on catchment areas. The Minister has advised all hospitals of this. I do not know the details of the facility in Letterkenny of which the Deputy speaks. However, as a result of action taken by the Minister and HSE there are now 800 fewer children on waiting lists, some of whom are in the category referred to by the Deputy. The new emergency department in Letterkenny General Hospital is now open and roll-out has commenced of a diabetes programme which involves the recruitment of 17 nurse practitioners, which will be of assistance in addressing this issue.

I acknowledge that it is difficult for parents to have to travel long distances to access treatment for their children. I have seen them in Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin over many years. It is hoped the recruitment of the 17 nurse practitioners will have an impact. As I said, the Minister has already informed all hospitals that there is no legal basis for confinement based on catchment area. I hope this will improve the position for the parents of the children of whom the Deputy speaks.

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. This is not about catchment areas, rather it is about the making of a small investment in a regional hospital, which would save multiples of that invested in the future. It is also about budgeting within the HSE. Investment of a small amount of money now will result in large savings in the years to come. I believe the Government should be able to make this decision in the context of budget 2013. The Government needs to provide this funding which will ensure easy accessibility of services for people and will result in long-term health benefits. It would also contribute to a reduction of €1.1 billion in the cost of treatment of obesity, which issue was mentioned by the Taoiseach in his reply. These small investments need to be made to ensure services are provided and savings are achieved. In a budgetary context, this is what should be important and should be the consideration.

One of the issues that has arisen from the North-South Ministerial Council programme is the extent of cross-Border co-operation and activity in a range of areas, including transport, education, business and health. I know from the last meeting held in Armagh that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, has had a number of meetings with the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland, Mr. Poots, MLA to discuss the effectiveness of cross-Border co-operation at a number of facilities, including between Altnagelvin hospital and Letterkenny General Hospital and the new South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen with Sligo General Hospital.

I am not sure whether the Deputy is calling for the provision of a new facility or treatment area at a cost of €95,000 or whether that figure relates to personnel. The HSE programme may have a proposal in this regard, which may be enhanced by way of co-operation between the HSE and the authorities in Northern Ireland and between the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly and Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr. Poots, MLA. I assume the matter raised by the Deputy can be followed through. The amount referred to by him is small. It may be that co-operation in terms of addressing the problem mentioned by the Deputy already exists or is under way. Perhaps Deputy Pringle would raise the issue directly with the Minister, who will be able to advise him what is happening in that regard or of the exact plans of the HSE to deal with the particular issue raised by him.