Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020
199. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plan to help persons with Alzheimer's disease; his further plans to increase resources and staff to help those affected; when daycare centres to help persons with dementia will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17468/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key commitment in the Programme for Government is the implementation of the National Dementia Care Strategy, which aims to improve how we provide care for people living with dementia.
The HSE's National Service Plan 2020 allocates approximately €9 million per annum for intensive home care packages, of which about €7.9 million is earmarked for dementia-specific packages. Since the packages were introduced at the end of 2014, 443 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages have been delivered, with 124 active at the end of May 2020.
The HSE provides in the region of €12 million in annual funding to 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. The HSE also supports the Dementia Adviser Service which currently spans 12 counties and is operated by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. In line with the Programme for Government, an additional 10 dementia advisors will be recruited this year with support from the Sláintecare Enhanced Community Fund. The recruitment of the advisors will enable the service to be expanded on a nationwide basis.
As the Deputy may be aware, a range of projects are being implemented by the HSE's National Dementia Office through funding of €6.26 million secured from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Funded projects include a national network of memory technology resource rooms, the mapping of dementia-specific community based services, a national rollout of the Dementia Training Programme for HSE homecare staff, a national intellectual disability memory service and a review of the diagnostic process for people with early-onset dementia.
There has been a continued focus on meeting the needs of people living with dementia who were impacted by the suspension of day care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dementia Understand Together Campaign developed a range of initiatives and resources to ensure that people living with dementia stayed safe, well and connected during the crisis. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland also played a key role in supporting people living with dementia in the home through the Dementia Advisor Service and other innovative initiatives.
The HSE has recently published a strategic framework document, outlining its overall approach and phased resumption of services, taking into account the COVID-19 environment in which services will need to work. It will affect how services are delivered, as well as service capacity. The intention is that services, while being delivered in new ways, will gradually be restored to older people, including people with dementia.
