Dementia strategy needs more funding, Independent TD says

A call has been made for the Government to increase funding for the implementation of the national dementia strategy.

Independent TD Tom Fleming said about 48,000 people currently live with dementia. He said that "a rapidly growing number are afflicted by this debilitating disease" and that appropriate services "need to be vastly improved".

The Kerry South TD said the strategy was a “first step” but that “real progress will require strategic financial investment and a new social and community approach”.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told Mr Fleming in the Dáil that the Government was focused on implementing the strategy.

Mr Kenny said Minister of State for Primary Care Kathleen Lynch had brought the strategy forward "after extensive consultation", and had also put together an oversight committee and an implementation group.

The Taoiseach said €27 million was being allocated for services and support for people who suffered from dementia.

Atlantic Philanthropies

Mr Kenny said that the foundation Atlantic Philanthropies "was so taken by the quality of the strategy" that it contributed "very substantially" to this funding.

Mr Fleming also commended Atlantic Philanthropies for providing €15 million in funding. However, he said “substantial further funding” and “huge commitment” was still needed.

Mr Fleming said 63 per cent of people with dementia lived in the community “and the vast majority of those are primarily cared for by a family member”. High quality diagnostics as well as training courses for carers and families were vital, he said.

Mr Kenny said there was an “assignment of clear responsibility at management level within the HSE” and there is now a far greater understanding about the best means of providing services.

The Taoiseach said Ms Lynch was “centrally involved” in budget discussions for 2016. He said that he could not predict the outcome of these discussions but that the issue was a matter of importance for the Government, “as are many other matters”.