Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on a recent study commissioned by the Alzheimer Society which found that services for people with dementia are fragmented, unsuitable and poorly resourced and that there is lack of information about the services available and the difficulty in navigating a complex health and social care system in which services are often unresponsive to the real needs of people with dementia and their carers; the steps she intends to take to improve this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29589/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the development of services for people of all ages with Alzheimer's Disease is based on the Action Plan for Dementia published by the National Council on Ageing and Older People in 1999. The Plan outlines the complexity and range of issues involved in the effective management of dementia and emphasises the need for the development of co-ordinated, multi-layered and well-resourced services, which are responsive to the individual needs of people with dementia and those who care for them. A number of recommendations are outlined in the Plan including; an increase in funding, changes to service delivery mechanisms, expansion of Old Age Psychiatry services, increased supports for family carers and the provision of day care and respite services.

Considerable progress has been made in service development since the publication of the report and, in each of the years 1999-2005, the Department and the HSE provided additional funding to Psychiatry of Old Age (over €5 million) and to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (over €2 million) for services delivered. The Health Service Executive is also making progress in the provision of stand-alone Dementia Units on a gradual basis. Since the report was published supports have also been enhanced in relation to community nursing, paramedical services and home help services. In terms of dementia specific services, new day care centres and residential units have been designed and developed in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. Home care services have also been specifically developed to meet the needs of persons with Alzheimer's and their carers. All of the above provisions apply to all Dementia sufferers, regardless of age.

There is a complementary link between Government policy in the area of the care of older people and in care for people with dementia. Both policies stress the need to provide support in dignity and independence, through the provision of appropriate services to the people concerned and their carers. The Government is fully committed to providing such support and service improvement, including the expansion of community and residential care services for people with Dementia. This commitment was reflected in the additional funding of €150 million allocated in the 2006 Budget towards improving services for older people and palliative care. Approximately two thirds of this money is allocated to community support for older people. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people.

The additional funding provided for Home Care Packages and the Home Help Scheme will further enhance the supports available to families caring for people with dementia at home. The Health Service Executive works closely with the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and this has resulted in greater awareness of the needs of people with dementia and the development of a wide range of supports.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the recent study Perceptions of Stigma in Dementia commissioned by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. The HSE welcomes the report which will further inform the strategic development of services for people with Dementia, their families and carers. The HSE acknowledges the need for services to be developed in a flexible manner to meet the specific needs of clients and to ensure a continuum of care and will continue to work closely with the Society to further enhance the provision of a quality, seamless service.