Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)

I will raise dementia services in my constituency. Last week, I received a report that respite beds for those with Parkinson's disease and dementia in the Royal Hospital Donnybrook would be unavailable from August as funding was withdrawn by the HSE without warning in January. This has created significant distress for the families who rely on this service. The uncertainty regarding HSE funding seems completely at odds with Government policy. I have engaged with both the hospital and the HSE but I want a commitment from the Government that the service at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook will continue to be fully funded. I would also like to hear about the Government's expected progress in this budget as regards "doubling funding for dementia day care at home" and the dementia day care centres promised in the programme for Government.

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