The Irish Government’s decision to provide funding for 10 more Dementia Advisers in Budget 2020 has been welcomed by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) as a first step in dealing with the inadequate and glaring gaps in services and supports that have been identified across the country. This follows years of neglect of people with dementia in recent Budget Day announcements. The ASI also welcomes the one million additional home care hours which will be provided in 2020, as home care was another key ask of its Pre-Budget campaign (pictured). This will help support people with dementia to live at home in an environment that is familiar to them and where the majority of people with dementia want to be.
This announcement is acknowledgment that there is finally some understanding at Irish Government level of the harsh realities faced by ordinary people up and down the country; people with dementia and their family carers are currently being left to put up with dementia service and supports black holes across Ireland. In July, The ASI launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2020 “Dementia Supports Across Ireland – Still Asking, Still Waiting, Still Struggling” which called on the Government to fund vital community supports and home care that are so desperately needed to help thousands of people living with dementia and their struggling families across Ireland.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO, Pat McLoughlin said:
“People with dementia and their family carers have been ignored in the Budget for years, so this announcement is the first positive step in the Government taking the dementia services crisis more seriously. We feel that given the challenge that dementia presents to Irish society, the condition should form an integral part of the overall health budget and should be considered and reflected in overall health considerations for the coming year.
“We have been calling for more Dementia Advisers for years and it was a key ask in our Budget 2020 Submission. Much more is needed to support those living with dementia and their carers. Dementia Advisers work with people with dementia, their families and carers to provide a highly responsive and individualised information and signposting service. They are a key community support for people.”
