Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed that all the Minister of State can say is that dementia advisers are being "considered" rather than committed to. This is after several budget submissions on our behalf and a clear evaluation by University College Cork. The national dementia strategy is welcome but it does not go far or fast enough. It is time for the Government to make good on dementia commitments and recognise the emergency that faces people with dementia and their carers in Ireland. People feel that while they may be heard by the Government and sympathetic Members, hearing and listening are not being matched with real money and public investment for real supports and services for which people with dementia and their carers are crying out. There is strong cross-party support for supports and services such as a national network of dementia advisers, a real uplift in dementia-specific home care, day supports, Alzheimer's cafes and the range of supports that are needed in every county.

As the Minister of State will know, in Cork, where we are both from, according to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, ASI, there are approximately 4,000 people with dementia, who are cared for by 12,000 people, and an additional €500,000 is needed in 2019 to bring it up to the minimum level. That is why ASI is holding an emergency dementia summit next Wednesday to be followed by an AV room briefing by the all-party group on dementia. This is an emergency on which there is an urgency to act, and I am disappointed by the Minister of State's response.