Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have worked hard together as a group. Today we made a decision to focus on the estimated 4,000 people who develop dementia each year. That is at least 11 people per day. Those are not my estimates; they come from the HSE's Understand Together information campaign. Each one of these 11 people and their families need access to a dementia adviser to support them as they embark on their journey with dementia, which can last years or even decades. Many of us in the group have medical backgrounds and we have had hands-on involvement with the frightening terror when somebody is given that diagnosis.

A dementia adviser works with people with dementia and their families, providing a highly responsive and individualised support to the person with dementia from the moment of diagnosis onwards, and includes their carers. They help people to connect with dementia supports and services in their areas. However, there are only eight such advisers throughout Ireland. Access is on the basis of a postcode lottery.