Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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641. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the actions identified from the national dementia strategy; the progress that has been made to date; and his views on the likely implementation of further actions identified as part of the strategy's implementation. [28901/15]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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642. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the number of general practitioners in Counties Louth and Meath who have signed up for training, as part of the of the implementation of the national dementia strategy; and if he will provide an update on when the proposed training will commence, and be completed. [28902/15]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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643. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the meetings that have taken place to date with the monitoring group to assist with implementation of national dementia strategy; and if he will provide an update in respect of these meetings. [28903/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 to 643, inclusive, together.

In December 2014 the Government launched the Irish National Dementia Strategy. This delivered on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementias strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.

The Strategy distinguishes between those Actions that can be progressed within existing resources and others to be addressed as more resources become available. Those identified for first implementation include:

- Clear responsibility for dementia to be assigned within the HSE. A dedicated Office, led at General Manager level by Mr. John Linehan, Specialist, Services for Older People, has been established within the HSE to support implementation of the Strategy;

- Clear descriptions of care pathways, and better information and guidance on services to be made available to GPs and to people with dementia and their families and carers;

- A better understanding of dementia, including modifiable risk factors, to be promoted;

- The use of existing resources to be reviewed to ensure that they are used in the best way possible;

- Research to inform the design and delivery of dementia services in Ireland to be supported and given appropriate priority.

The Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme will represent a combined investment of €27.5m, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12m, and the HSE contributing €15.5m.

This programme will promote a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society. Key elements of the initiative include:

- the rollout of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;

- the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia - the resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.; and

- Measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.

A Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to assist with and advise on implementation of the Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers, and advocates. In addition, the Group includes a number of new members including a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The Group held its first meeting in April 2015 at which it commenced consideration of an Implementation Plan for the Strategy. A further meeting is scheduled for 24 September 2015.

Progress has already been made on a number of fronts. The HSE has established a central Dementia Office to drive and oversee implementation of the Strategy. Work has commenced on the development of a Dementia Friendly Ireland programme to raise awareness and increase understanding of the condition. Research into the educational needs of GPs and Primary Care Team members is underway, and a body of training will follow when this is complete. Roll-out has commenced of intensive home care packages for people with dementia, and 38 people with dementia have benefitted to date.

There is no formal signing-up process for GPs in this context:-the Irish College of General Practitioners are collaborators on and supportive of this project. We are still in the early stages of implementation, but the National Dementia Strategy is a clear indication by Government of the importance that it attaches to dementia, and of our commitment to ensuring that those with dementia can live well for as long as possible.