Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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779. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme since its inception; the number of persons that currently avail of the programme; the number of general practitioners that provide the programme; if the programme has been evaluated; if an audit of the programme has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50674/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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780. To ask the Minister for Health if he will extend the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme to all persons with type 2 diabetes; his views on whether it is equitable that persons with type 2 diabetes without a GMS or GP visit card but who otherwise meet the HSE criteria for uncomplicated type 2 diabetes to be managed in primary care, are excluded from the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50675/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In October 2015, the Diabetes cycle of care programme was introduced nationally by the HSE. Under this programme, adult GMS patients, those who hold a medical card or GP visit card, with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes are eligible to be managed as part of the programme by their GP.

The 2019 GP Agreement introduced the chronic disease management programme for GMS patients who have one or more specific chronic diseases, of which Type 2 Diabetes is one. The structured programme commenced in 2020 and is being rolled out to all adult GMS patients over four years (2020 to 2023). This year the programme has been rolled out to those aged 65 years and over. The chronic disease management programme will replace the Diabetes cycle of care programme as it is rolled out.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependents may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. People who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card.

There is currently no plan to extend type 2 diabetes care under the chronic disease management programme to patients who do not hold a medical or GP visit card.

While Type 2 diabetic patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card are not eligible under the Diabetes cycle of care or chronic disease management programmes, diabetes is one of the conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme. Under this scheme, patients with diabetes can receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness free of charge, regardless of whether they hold a medical card.