Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise dementia and Alzheimer's disease. I raised the issue on many occasions prior to Christmas. An all-party working group on dementia and Alzheimer's disease is operating in this House. We had one ask for the HSE National Service Plan 2019, namely, for eight advisers to help citizens who are suffering from this terrible disease to access the proper services. We were led to believe on many occasions that the request would be acceded to. Some advisers are operating around the country and they are doing an excellent job. The benchmarking of the service that is being provided has shown it to be excellent. It has helped many citizens who are suffering from the disease and their families by working with them and providing training to ensure that the person suffering from the disease can stay at home for much longer and can get the proper supports. Unfortunately, there has been no increase under the HSE service plan. I ask the Deputy Leader to ensure that the Minister for Health comes into this House as soon as he is available to discuss the HSE service plan and supports for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It is a crying shame that more than 50,000 citizens have been left with a poor service. One simple measure could make a major difference not only to them but to their extended families.