Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the publication of the national dementia strategy and acknowledge the work of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, the former Minister, Deputy Reilly and particularly the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. The strategy was a commitment of the programme for Government and identifies the key principles to underpin and inform the full range of health and social care services provided to people with dementia, their families and their carers. I acknowledge the support of Atlantic Philanthropies and regret the comments in the past few days in this House and the Seanad regarding that organisation.. The programme will focus on the timely diagnosis of dementia and the value of early intervention with the long-term objective of making people generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people suffering from dementia and the contribution they can continue to make to society. I acknowledge the role of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, whose representatives I met before Christmas and who were gravely concerned about the delay in the publication of the strategy. They are very happy with the strategy that has been published.

In Galway alone there are 2,364 people with dementia with up to 48,000 people nationally living with the condition. It touches every family in some way and we all know people suffering with it. Many try to get on with their lives to a degree. One has to commend all those families who care for their loved ones who suffer from this condition.

I compliment the Minister of State on this welcome strategy. I am confident it will deliver over the coming years.

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