Diabetes has a major impact on the Irish healthcare system. It counts for a significant proportion of annual spending. However, there is a lack of clarity and transparency around how this money is being spent specifically on diabetes priority actions. I call on the Government to take the following steps to address the issue: develop a comprehensive national diabetes strategy to direct policy; establish a diabetes patient registry to collect and analyse data on the prevalence, incidence and complications of diabetes in Ireland; develop consistent guidelines on the provision and funding of continuous glucose monitoring devices by the HSE; and provide new and updated clinical guidelines to reflect the latest evidence-based practice for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. With the right supports, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives. I urge the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure people who have diabetes have the best access to healthcare in this country.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of diabetes. I am not sure if it has been raised with me in the House before. It is such a common illness that it is good to hear it being raised. It is extraordinarily common. Most people will have a family member who has diabetes. There are many different types, and people who have diabetes often have many other illnesses or co-morbidities. However, if it is managed well and looked after, people with diabetes can live long, healthy lives and avoid those co-morbidities, which is why it is so important it is treated well.

I agree with the Deputy that we need better data. A national patient register would help in many ways, including allowing us to track patients so they do not get lost to follow-up and allowing us to carry out better research. I will definitely speak to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, about it.