Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for Health, further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 8 November 2011, if he will confirm that the national Alzheimer's strategy and other dementia strategies will address the development of these conditions in persons under the age of 65 years. [35505/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As I have indicated previously, my Department has begun the process of developing a policy on Alzheimer's and other dementia in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Government. While age is the single strongest risk factor for dementia, a growing number of people under 65 is being diagnosed with dementia.

Officials in my Department have engaged with relevant stake-holder groups on the first stage of the process which is to assemble the research and evidence upon which the policy will be developed, including data on the under 65 cohort. I expect this will be received shortly, at which stage work on the policy will commence formally.