Last week, we had a presentation in Leinster House by members of the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. They were introduced to the Members of the Oireachtas by Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who has first-hand knowledge of this ailment due to a family connection. The speakers for this sector included a person who has been afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and is going through the ordeal while trying to live as fully as possible, and a carer who is looking after his mother on a full-time basis. A contribution was also made by a GP with expert knowledge of the medical condition.

The Alzheimer's group is promoting the national dementia strategy, which was launched by the Government in December. This is aimed at meeting the needs of the approximately 48,000 people who are currently living with dementia. A rapidly growing number are afflicted by this debilitating disease and this will continue into the future. The national strategy is a first step, but real progress will require strategic financial investment, naturally, and a new social and community approach to dementia. The priority actions in the strategy have the potential, if implemented, to significantly improve the rates of diagnosis of the early stages, to improve people's journey through life and also to improve the health and social care system for these people.

Will the Taoiseach prioritise the national dementia strategy, as diagnosis and referral to the appropriate services need to be vastly improved? Will he provide adequate home care packages for the many thousands of people who urgently require these to enable them to live in their communities? Will he support a campaign to remove the stigma associated with the whole issue of dementia?

This is a most distressing condition that people find themselves in. Everybody in the House knows families or people whose loved ones or family members are so afflicted, and I know many myself.

We waited ten years for a strategy on dementia to be produced. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, brought that forward after extensive consultation and published it before Christmas, and she also put together both an oversight committee and an implementation group to see that it happens. One of the action groups, Genio, has a number of projects in locations around the country, one of them here in Dublin. Atlantic Philanthropies was so taken by the quality of the strategy produced by the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, that it has contributed very substantially to this. Between it and the State, I believe over €27 million is being allocated for services and support for people who suffer from dementia in all its forms.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter of concern to families. The vocabulary changes automatically once a diagnosis is made but, in so far as the Government is concerned, we recognise this is an issue and the Minister of State has produced the strategy after the country had waited ten years for it. There is substantial support for those who are affected by the condition, the members of their families and those who provide the various supports. I can give the Deputy further details of the work that is going on at the various locations around the country, if he wishes.

I commend Atlantic Philanthropies, which is co-operating with the Government by providing some €15 million alongside the Government commitment for a further €15 million. However, this requires substantial further funding additional to that €15 million. The national dementia strategy commits to an integrated, multidisciplinary approach and to a response by community services, primary care and secondary care in order to support people with dementia and their carers. It needs huge commitment into the future from the Department of Health and the HSE.

The facts are that 63% of the approximately 50,000 people with dementia currently live in the community, the most common form of this condition is Alzheimer's disease, and the vast majority of those with dementia are primarily cared for by a family member. They need supports to be provided at regular stages from the advisory bodies linked to the HSE and from occupational therapists in order to ensure these patients are kept at home and in the community as much as possible.

Thank you, Deputy. We are over time.

Primary care is vital to all of this. It is the first point of medical contact for people, particularly given the need for occupational therapists and all of the other supports. Early diagnosis is crucial.

Will you put your question, please?

We must ensure we have high-quality diagnostic services in our hospitals as well as from GP services. Training courses for families and carers are vital. In the forthcoming budget in October, will the Taoiseach ensure that the required amount of funding is made available to build good foundations for the strategy so that it will be progressed into the future?

As I said, the Minister of State launched the national dementia strategy in December, after we had waited ten years. I pay tribute to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for its contribution and for the part it played in the development of that strategy over a period.

There are 50,000 people afflicted by dementia. As I said, a very substantial amount, about €27 million, is being allocated at the moment. Central features of that strategy are exactly what Deputy Fleming is talking about, and that is what is being implemented. There is an assignment of clear responsibility at management level within the HSE in respect of dementia, there is much clearer information available to people about the services that are available and there is far greater understanding about the causes of dementia and how best people can be facilitated.

It is very important that, in so far as is possible, people can be maintained in their own locations and in the community. What the Deputy has outlined has been central to the development of the strategy that is published, on which the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, has taken a very strong lead role. We are now focused on implementing that strategy. Obviously, in respect of the budget for 2016, as the figures come in for the improving economy, this is a matter of social importance and personal importance. Deputy Fleming can rest assured that the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, and the committee dealing with this will be centrally involved in those discussions. It is not for me to predict the outcome of those discussions but, clearly, it is a matter of importance, as are many other matters, for the Government in the time ahead.