Mr. Robert Connor:

There is a social and economic imperative to find solutions. We spend €1.69 billion annually on dementia care, half of which expense is borne by families. A recent Canadian study found that if people increase their physical activity, it can offset a dementia diagnosis by two years, which would equate to a saving of €3.4 billion. Dance is recognised in international research, including in a two-year study by Dr. Deirdre Connolly, head of occupational therapy at Trinity College Dublin, as the most effective activity for offsetting and delaying many age-related illnesses. People who dance frequently are 76% less likely to develop dementia. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and depression and benefits reaction times and cognitive performance.