Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the Minister of State launched the national dementia strategy in December, after we had waited ten years. I pay tribute to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for its contribution and for the part it played in the development of that strategy over a period.

There are 50,000 people afflicted by dementia. As I said, a very substantial amount, about €27 million, is being allocated at the moment. Central features of that strategy are exactly what Deputy Fleming is talking about, and that is what is being implemented. There is an assignment of clear responsibility at management level within the HSE in respect of dementia, there is much clearer information available to people about the services that are available and there is far greater understanding about the causes of dementia and how best people can be facilitated.

It is very important that, in so far as is possible, people can be maintained in their own locations and in the community. What the Deputy has outlined has been central to the development of the strategy that is published, on which the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, has taken a very strong lead role. We are now focused on implementing that strategy. Obviously, in respect of the budget for 2016, as the figures come in for the improving economy, this is a matter of social importance and personal importance. Deputy Fleming can rest assured that the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, and the committee dealing with this will be centrally involved in those discussions. It is not for me to predict the outcome of those discussions but, clearly, it is a matter of importance, as are many other matters, for the Government in the time ahead.

See this speech in context