Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I had acknowledged the policy was to support people living with dementia in their own homes and in communities. While he highlighted the services that are in place, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the day care centre group acknowledge they fall short, given the number of people living with dementia and the lack of other supports and services. We are trying to fill the gaps and improve the services.

I am not coming into the House to be critical of the Minister of State. I want to highlight the deficiency and to put forward a costing from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland which seems reasonable. I hope this can focus attention to deliver this day care centre. The day care centres in south Kildare to which he referred are a journey away, and the logistics of trying to get people there is difficult, as transport is not always available and the reality of living with dementia means it is not always possible for people to travel that distance. Given the demographics of north Kildare and its population, in particular the number of people living with dementia, I am trying to get the supports put in place to provide a day centre in the area which would start off by providing services on two days a week. The day care centre group, with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, has stated that if this was put in place, it would assist in a positive way people living with dementia and their families.

I want a commitment that this can happen. As the Minister of State said, the HSE is very supportive of this group and it acknowledges the good work being done. It also acknowledges that this service is required and it supports the call for it to be provided in north Kildare.

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