Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We welcome everything that has been done, but if one considered the demographics and the projected trends in Alzheimer's and dementia, one would see a trebling in the incidence of both in just a generation. That will be a major demand on resources. Even in the context of the national dementia strategy, I do not believe that enough planning is being done to provide the resources that will be required. We know what will be necessary in the years ahead, given the increasing prevalence.

Intensive home care packages represent a key issue. Atlantic Philanthropies is involved in their funding, but we need to put in place proper systems with seamless supports in the community. We discuss primary care and community care, but families do not have the supports that they deserve. We should start being imaginative in the strategy as regards how we care for Alzheimer's or dementia sufferers in a community or home care setting.

That involves community-based services and voluntary organisations all coming together to deal with what will be an avalanche. If we do not have the resources in place, we will deny very many people basic dignity.

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