Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
419. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health whether the National Dementia Strategy will be updated; the status of the National Dementia Strategy in relation to the Model of Care for Dementia; whether a full-term review is intended to be published following the 2018 Mid-Term Review; whether the National Dementia Strategy Monitoring Group are presently active; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22916/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDementia policy in Ireland is guided principally by the 2014 National Dementia Strategy, the 2023 HSE Model of Care for Dementia, and the 2025 Programme for Government commitments on dementia.
The HSE's 2023 Dementia Model of Care builds on several of the Priority Action Areas in the 2014 Strategy and is intended to ensure that people have timely and equitable access to dementia assessment, diagnosis, post-diagnostic support and care regardless of where they live. The Department of Health's Statement of Strategy 2025-2028 commits to implementing the Dementia Model of Care, and National Dementia Services in the HSE plays a leadership role in its implementation.
Since 2021 progress towards implementation of the Dementia Model of Care includes the development of Memory Assessment and Support Services, Regional Specialist Memory Clinics, and a National Intellectual Disability Memory Service to increase dementia diagnostic capacity. The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan commits to opening seven Memory Assessment and Support Services and to developing a fifth Regional Specialist Memory Clinic in north Dublin.
Since 2021 progress has also been made in the provision of dementia day care, day care at home and activity clubs for young onset dementia, and in expanding the National Dementia Adviser service. These community-based supports have increased the scale and range of post-diagnostic supports available to keep people with dementia living as well as possible in their communities. The 2025 Programme for Government sets out the Government’s priorities for the expansion of dementia services and supports over the lifetime of the Government.
The Department of Health is reviewing national dementia policy. As part of this review, a ‘best practice’ comparative evidence brief on dementia strategies in other countries is being planned. Additionally, the analysis and recommendations of the independent Commission on Care for older people are expected to influence the future direction of dementia policy. The National Dementia Strategy Monitoring Group ceased to meet prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and it is not planned to reinstitute it at this time.
