Robert Troy
Ceist:1715. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied). [34374/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (1715)
Freagraí scríofa
Thanks to advancements in medicine and lifestyle choices, people in Ireland are living longer than ever. However, with the prevalence of dementia nearly doubling every five years past the age of 65, an ageing population also means that there is an increase in the number of people with dementia. At present, some 55,000 people live with dementia in this country and, with 4,000 new cases diagnosed each year, that total will double by 2036.
As a response to the challenges facing people with dementia and their families and carers, the National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. The strategy seeks to change the attitudes of wider society towards dementia and ensure that people with dementia can continue to live well and participate in their communities. It recognises that, with the right supports and services, people with dementia can live long, fulfilling lives after a diagnosis.
The strategy’s implementation was boosted at the time of its launch through a joint programme of investment by the HSE and the Atlantic Philanthropies. This €27.5 million investment allowed for a number of key actions within the strategy to be resourced and implemented. It funded the PREPARED programme, which offers education and clinical resources for GPs and primary care teams; intensive home care packages for people with dementia; the Understand Together awareness campaign; and the establishment of the National Dementia Office, which has an important role in implementing the strategy. The office has made substantial progress towards developing evidence-based care pathways for people with dementia. Additional projects have been funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund.
In May this year, I launched a mid-term review of the National Dementia Strategy. This review, prepared by the National Dementia Office and the Department of Health, provides an overview of work completed to date and work ongoing for each of the priority actions and additional actions identified in the strategy.
In 2016 and 2017, the National Dementia Office partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on a project to map dementia-specific community-based services and supports. It provides a useful snapshot and baseline study into what, where and when dementia services are being offered. The study has also been used to inform a service finder hosted on the National Dementia Office’s website. This allows people to search for dementia-specific community services in their area. There are gaps in access to services and a large variance in what services are provided across the country. The National Dementia Office has met with senior HSE officials in each Community Healthcare Organisation region to highlight gaps in each area and to develop local action plans to improve service provision.
The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2019 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning. I have already met with senior officials in the HSE on a number of occasions in relation to development funding for new initiatives in Budget 2019 and I hope to be able to make a positive announcement later in the year in this regard.
The Department of Health has recently secured almost €4 million in Dormant Accounts funding to introduce additional projects that will improve service provision to people with dementia and their families and carers. The projects, to be implemented by the National Dementia Office, include a national rollout of a dementia training programme for HSE home care staff and the development of a dementia resource centre and outreach programme offering timely, tailored and individualised community supports to people with dementia and family carers. Funding will also be used to establish a national intellectual disability memory service that offers proactive dementia assessment and diagnosis for people with an intellectual disability, a section of society which has a higher likelihood of developing dementia. A review will also be undertaken of young-onset dementia diagnostic processes and practices to inform future service development needs.