Every day in Ireland 11 people are diagnosed with dementia. There are 55,000 people living with the condition. There are nine dementia advisers covering 13 counties, but the minimum required is 32. Unfortunately, the HSE's service plan for 2019 does not provide for the appointment of new dementia advisers, even though the Minister for Health and the Minister for State, Deputy Jim Daly, were extremely supportive of this request. Is this an indication that there is a heavy-handed approach on the part of the Department of Health in making the decision and overruling both the Minister and the Minister of State?

I thank the Deputy for her question. As she is aware, we conducted a review of the role of dementia advisers in order to inform future policy decisions. The review was very positive and while we are very supportive of expanding the network of dementia advisers throughout the country, unfortunately, we are not in a position to do so this year. We are not able to expand the network this year owing to other commitments, but it is our objective to do so as soon as possible.

If it is all right with the Tánaiste, I will direct my question to the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, because he is familiar with the issue I wish to raise. I again refer to the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, County Roscommon. I acknowledge that the Minister of State has engaged on the issue over a long period of time. In recent days independent assessments of the remaining 11 patients in the unit were carried out. In some cases, patients' relatives received very short notice, about which they are not happy. In two or three cases advocates were called in when family members could not attend. Will the Minister of State ensure the patients in those two or three cases are reassessed in the presence of their relatives? In the context of the programme for Government, will the Minister of State ask the HSE to consider reopening the unit and operating it at its full capacity of 33 patients, bearing in mind that, per head of population, County Roscommon has the highest incidence of Alzheimer's disease in the country.

As the Deputy said, an independent review is being conducted. Only one resident has no family member and an advocate has been assigned to ensure this patient's voice will be heard as part of the process. I am aware of the concern the Deputy has raised about the giving of notice and have spoken to local HSE management about the matter. I am satisfied that every step is being taken to address it.