On 9 October, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) welcomed the announcement of Budget 2026, which included an additional EUR 2.3 million in funding to improve access to diagnostics and supports for people with dementia. This funding will support day care centres, day care at home and additional dementia advisers. It was also confirmed that a minimum of 22% of all new home support hours will be ringfenced for people with dementia.
ementia-specific measures include:
• Five new dementia-specific day care centres to be developed across the country
• Expansion of the day care at home service
• Minimum of 22% of all new home support hours ringfenced for people living with dementia (in total EUR 82 million in additional funding for home support, which will provide for an increase of 1.7 million hours)
• Increase total number of dementia advisers nationwide by two, up to 36
• Roll out of the National Dementia Registry and investment in Memory Assessment and Support Services (MASS).
The ASI is grateful to Minister Kieran O’Donnell, Minister of State for Older People and Housing, for securing this funding. It will positively impact the lives of people with dementia and family carers across Ireland. Other budget 2026 measures included increased investment in long-term residential care, home support services and carer supports. These included additional funding for the “Fair Deal Scheme” and “Meals on wheels”, as well as increases to social welfare payments and income thresholds for carers’ allowances and benefits. This announcement followed The ASI’s “Coffee and chat” event at Leinster House (the seat of Ireland’s national Parliament) on 30 September, where staff and advocates Kathleen Farrell (Irish Dementia Working Group) and Patrick Crosbie (Dementia Carers Campaign Network and European Dementia Carers Working Group) met with nearly 40 political representatives, including Ministers, TDs, and Senators.
Many shared personal experiences of dementia, and discussions focused on the urgent need for investment in dementia care, support and research. The ASI remains committed to working with Government, health services, and people affected by dementia to meet the challenges it presents in Irish society. Budget 2026 marks another step forward in this journey. The ASI will continue to advocate for investment in dementia supports, services and research to meet the needs of people impacted by dementia in Ireland.