Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware, the report, The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly stressed the need to develop a range of services for people with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and their families. The report was adopted as official Government policy towards the elderly. Additional funding was made available to the health services to implement key recommendations of the report, including the strengthening of home and community support for people with dementia and their families. The investment by boards in additional community nursing, day care, respite services and nursing home places has increased the support available to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and their carers. The care of those with dementia is clearly emerging as a priority for many boards, a development which I fully support. This is reflected in the ongoing progress being made to improve further health and welfare services for the eldrely and their carers, including the development of specialist assessment and community support services for people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
I might add that my Department allocates £80,000 annually in core funding to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in recognition of the contribution the society is making to the development of services for people with dementia throughout the country.