Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her Department will develop a national strategy for Alzheimer's disease and dementia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10444/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that Government Policy is to support people including those suffering from all forms of dementia to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and, where this is not possible, to support access to quality long-term residential care. 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 for example community nursing, home help services and support to family carers.

Current policy on dementia is informed by a number of reports and strategies, principally the Action Plan on Dementia. However there is now a need to re-examine this issue and it is intended that preliminary work will be carried out in 2010 on scoping work for developing a Dementia Policy.