Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State back to the Chamber. She has been a most frequent visitor since the Seanad reconvened and she was appointed to her position. I know of her compassion for older people. In her past life as a Deputy she was co-chairman of the all-party committee on dementia and did incredible work on the issue. We could not have anybody more suited to the position she now occupies.

As 1 October was International Day for Older Persons, I felt it was appropriate to table a Commencement matter on the issue of people dealing with dementia. My concern is not just for people with dementia but also those who care for them. There are approximately 66,000 people in this country with dementia and for every one of those people there are at least three others impacted as carers. We are talking here about mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, neighbours and friends. There is no community that is not impacted by dementia. Things were difficult for these people before Covid-19 but the pandemic has totally exacerbated the challenges that people with dementia and their carers face.

Two reports were commissioned by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in April and late June to assess the impact of Covid-19 and the results are frightening. The surveys were carried out among carers and those with dementia. Following on from that, the society launched its pre-budget submission for 2021. A number of Members of the Oireachtas attended the launch. Carers were represented by a woman called Denise. To hear her speaking about carers being at breaking point and outlining the long-term impacts from both a mental and physical perspective would draw a tear from a stone. A man called Kevin who has dementia also spoke. I know that the Minister of State has spoken to him previously but listening to his concern, not just for himself but for his wife and those around him, was incredibly touching. However, these people need more than sympathy; they need support. First, we need to talk about the commencement of day services. I accept that today is day one of level 3 restrictions nationwide but that pushes the recommencement of services out even further. We need to support family carers in their own homes through enhanced in-home supports. Additional funding must be provided in the budget for appropriate homecare and for additional dementia carers. I thank the Minister of State for her efforts to ensure that there will be ten additional dementia advisors, bringing the total to 19. However, I would argue that every county should have a dementia advisor. We also need extra funding for infrastructure for those with dementia. They need joy in their lives which is made possible through social interaction with their peers. The same is true of their carers. They need an opportunity to have time for themselves, as do other family members. These are three key areas that must be addressed in the upcoming budget.