Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will recognise and designate dementia as a national health priority; her views on the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's calls in seeking investment in early diagnosis, intervention, enhanced care services and medical and social research up to a budget or €75 million over three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35447/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Action Plan for Dementia, published in 1999, outlines the complexity and range of issues involved in the effective management of dementia. The plan 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 of those who care for them. The Action Plan describes a model of best practice for the provision and planning of dementia care in Ireland.

The recommendations in the plan include increased funding, changes to service delivery mechanisms, expanded Old Age Psychiatry services, increased support for family carers and provision of day care and respite services.

Since the report was published, community supports have been enhanced over the years and increased levels of funding have been made available to develop a wide range of community based services, including community nursing, paramedical services, home help services, and support to family carers.

In Budget 2006, additional funding was provided to further enhance services for older people, including €30m for Home Care Packages, €30m for the Home Help Service, €7m for Day/Respite Care, €2m for Old Age Psychiatry Service and €15m for the Development of Primary Care Teams.

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. Home care services have also been specifically developed to meet the needs of persons with Alzheimer's and their carers.

The additional funding provided under Home Care Packages and the Home Help Scheme will further enhance the supports available to families caring for people with dementia at home.

In August 2006 the Alzheimer Society of Ireland published "Perceptions of Stigma in Dementia: An Exploratory Study" in conjunction with the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin. The HSE has advised that it will work closely with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, as is the case at present, in examining the various recommendations of this report in the context of services for older people.