Monica Barnes
Question:117 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress he has made to support Alzheimer's sufferers and their families; and the plans he has in this regard. [14872/01]
Written Answers. - Alzheimer's Disease.
A number of initiatives has been taken in relation to the improvement of dementia services. Significant additional funding of £4 million has been made available in the period 1999-2001 for the express purpose of providing assistance to carers, including carers of Alzheimer's sufferers. Additional funding of £1.7 million has been made available to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for expansion of their services, particularly day care. A number of new community nursing units for older people, which have been constructed in recent years, provide respite and day care for people with dementia. Further such units will be put in place during the lifetime of the national development plan. In addition, purpose-built units for the care of older people who are mentally infirm will be constructed in a number of locations such as Galway, Newcastlewest and Carndonagh, under the national development plan. Resources have also been provided to expand the provision of specialist services in psychiatry of old age. It is planned that by the end of 2001 some 14 consultant-led services will be in place.
I accept the need to further develop services for people with dementia and their carers particularly in relation to meeting the preferences of older people to be supported in their own homes. It is my intention to continue with initiatives commenced in recent years of allocating additional developmental resources towards the build-up of community supports for older people, including those with dementia.