Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both organisations for coming in here and for the work that they do. Certainly the information they imparted this morning is very helpful.

There was a scenario in my home town about ten years ago where a very distinguished and successful businessman who had no family or immediate relatives, certainly not in Ireland, got dementia. It was extremely sad to see how he deteriorated, which happened in front of everybody. Again, he was a very independent person and it was extremely sad to see some of the scenarios he found himself in as a result of his condition. Ten years on what would happen to somebody in a similar situation who is a bachelor and has no family or loved ones? What services are now available for somebody like the independent businessman I mentioned, all the while respecting his or her independence but at the same time realising that the person needs interventions? In my view the businessman did not get the interventions that he should have got. Perhaps they were offered but maybe due to his independent nature he did not avail of them. He clearly needed them and it is one of those situations that plays on my mind all the time when we hear about carers, resources, etc. What would the State do in today's world to help that man and give him the dignity that he deserved having lived a very productive life, having employed people and having paid his taxes, etc. throughout his life? What exists today that was not available ten years ago?