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Services for People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Ceisteanna (1253, 1254, 1255)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

1253. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there is acute inequality within dementia-specific community services nationally; and his views on whether a proposal (details supplied) would transform the lives of persons living with Alzheimer's disease. [32361/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joan Collins

Ceist:

1254. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there is an acute need for more intensive home care packages to enable persons to stay at home; and his views on whether a proposal (details supplied) is a much needed investment to allow persons to stay at home. [32367/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joan Collins

Ceist:

1255. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a €1 million investment to resource dementia-inclusive community co-ordinators throughout Ireland is needed. [32369/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1253 to 1255, inclusive, together.

The National Dementia Strategy, which was published in December 2014 and is being implemented by the National Dementia Office, aims to improve care, services and supports for people with dementia. Progress made to date and future plans are outlined in the mid-term review of the Strategy, published in May 2018.

The HSE currently provides approximately €9 million per annum for intensive home care packages, including €7.9 million for dementia-specific packages. Since the packages were introduced at the end of 2014, 443 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages have been delivered, with 201 active at the end of March 2019.

A total of €426 million has been allocated for home support services in 2019, which also benefit people with dementia. It is expected that over 17.9 million home support hours will be delivered to over 53,000 people this year.

The HSE provides in the region of €12 million in annual funding to support the work of a range of organisations who deliver dementia-specific respite, home care, day care, cognitive stimulation therapy, social clubs and supports for family carers around the country.

In addition, the HSE provides €400,000 per annum in support for the Dementia Adviser Service which spans 12 counties and is operated by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. This funding supports 7 of the 9 dementia adviser posts delivering the service.

€6.26 million has been secured through Dormant Accounts funding for a range of dementia projects being rolled out by the National Dementia Office. This includes the salary and programme costs in 2018 and 2019 related to a Dementia Community Activation Coordinator, which is a joint role between the HSE and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. The Coordinator is working with national organisations and key community stakeholders to increase the number of community dementia champions across Ireland in order to create sustainable dementia inclusive communities.

Last week, I launched a €1 million fund for community and voluntary groups to continue to support older people to stay well and remain connected with their local community. Approximately €250,000 of this funding will be dedicated to dementia related initiatives.

As the Deputy will be aware, during 2016 and 2017, the National Dementia Office partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on a baseline study into what, where and when dementia services are being offered. This study has also been used to inform a service finder hosted on the National Dementia Office’s website which allows people to search for dementia-specific community services in their area.

The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2020 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE, including proposals to enhance dementia services, will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.

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