Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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414. To ask the Minister for Health the plans, additional funding and resources that are being put in place nationally by his Department and the HSE to better care for the estimated 3,500 persons who will develop Alzheimer's disease each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39336/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014, with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community based services.

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

A National Dementia Office has been established in the HSE to drive implementation of the Strategy across health and social care services. The Department of Health chairs a National Dementia Strategy Monitoring Group to monitor and advise on Strategy implementation.

The Department and the HSE are working on a mid-term review of the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy which will identify the achievements so far and set out the further work that is required to implement the Strategy over the next 12 months and beyond. The funding needed for the ongoing implementation of the Strategy can only be considered in the context of the Estimates and Budget process. The mid-term review will assist in identifying further actions required and will be helpful in the context of budgetary considerations.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on the plans and resources aspect of the Parliamentary Question as soon as possible.