Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Health when it is envisaged that the national dementia strategy will be published; his views on the planned implementation of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42423/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It is estimated that there are currently approximately 47,000 people with dementia in Ireland and that number is expected to increase threefold to approximately 132,000 by 2041. Accordingly, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a 'National Alzheimer’s and other Dementias' Strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and, ensure development of enhanced community based services.

A public consultation process to inform the development of the Strategy was conducted in 2012 and a report of this was published on my Department’s website in February 2013. A Working Group, representative of key stakeholders from my Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector was convened to advise on the preparation of the Strategy. Preparation of the Strategy is now at an advanced stage and the Strategy will be published in the coming months.

The Strategy will have a very practical focus, will be action oriented and will focus on what can be done to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. Implementation will commence immediately after publication, with the initial emphasis being on actions that can be progressed within existing resources.