Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In this, the European Year for Active Ageing, I am keenly aware of the importance of positive ageing not alone for each of us as individuals but also for our communities and society as whole. The Government acknowledges the need to better recognise the position of older people in society. The programme for Government has committed to completing and implementing the national positive ageing strategy in order that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent full lives. The strategy will set the strategic direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland and sets out a common framework for the development of operational plans by a number of Departments, clearly setting out each Department's objectives relating to older people. Mechanisms designed to monitor the implementation of measures contained in operational plans will also be included in the strategy. It is not envisaged, however, that the strategy will propose new service developments. Rather, it will set the strategic direction for future policies, programmes and services for older people in Ireland.

A considerable amount of preparatory work has been completed. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, who is the lead Minister in this area, intends to bring a draft strategy to Government in the final quarter of 2012. I reiterate that the development of a national dementia strategy is a priority for this Government. The research that was carried out earlier this year highlighted the primary importance of the role that families and communities play in the environment of care for people with dementia. The financial cost, to which I alluded, is only one aspect of the overall costs. Non-economic costs include the social, emotional and psychological strain the illness confers on people with dementia and their carers. While I cannot at this stage pre-empt the findings of the working group that will develop the dementia strategy, having commissioned the research review and engaged in a public consultation, I can assure Senators that we are listening to what everyone has to say, including Members of this and the Lower House and outside interests across the board. We are committed to examining all options and views put forward in this context. I am confident this House will help inform our deliberations. Senators can rest assured their recommendations, and insights provided by colleagues in the course of this debate, will be considered and will influence the strategy development.

In the current economic climate, it is very important that available resources are targeted at those most in need and that, where possible, care is provided in the community and the home. The continuing pressure on resources in the health sector generally will make it an imperative that we obtain the very best targeting of resources towards those most in need. The development of a national dementia strategy, combined with these other two important strategies to which I referred, will be a significant step forward in this regard. Together with the enactment of the mental capacity legislation, they will form a solid foundation in ensuring the rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens are protected. They, their families and carers are, and will continue to be, the focus of our considerations.