Dementia day care in Wexford
Deputy Mythen called for day care services for people with dementia in County Wexford and cited carers under severe strain. The Tánaiste said he recognised the issue and would ask the relevant Minister of State to reply directly.
I raise the lack of day care services for people with dementia in County Wexford. It is my understanding the county has never had such a service, even though the frightening statistics say there are 11,000 new cases of dementia per year throughout this State. That is almost 30 citizens per day. The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland recently conducted research into caring and coping with dementia during Covid-19 and found family carers to be at breaking point, with their own mental and physical well-being seriously affected. These families need this service now more than ever. Will the Tánaiste outline what plans there are to provide these services in County Wexford, as they are already available in other constituencies?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. I appreciate this is an important issue for him and for the people of County Wexford. I am aware Deputy Kehoe and the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, have an interest in it too. I do not have an up-to-date note with me but I will certainly let the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, know he raised it today and ask her to get back to him directly.