I congratulate Cian and Jordan on the work they have done, as well as all the people who have helped them. They have done important work highlighting this issue, and it is extremely important that we speak openly and highlight the challenges. Dementia is one of the health and social challenges facing Ireland today, with more than 69,000 people in the country currently living with the condition. That number is going to increase, as has been outlined. Behind every diagnosis is not only an individual but also a family, a carer and a community adapting to the realities of a progressive condition that changes lives forever. There are over 200 different types of dementia. When I was working as a solicitor I had to deal many times with families who had a family member with dementia where I had to try to sort out the legal issues arising from the person having dementia. For instance, I had a case involving a widow living with her daughter who had an intellectual disability. She did not have other children and both of them were living on tea and biscuits for a long period before it came to my attention. The lady had been admitted to hospital and the only thing she could talk about was playing camogie with Ballygarvan in 1935. She knew everything about what happened in 1935 but not what was going on around her there and then. Progress has been made in recent years. The national dementia strategy and HSE dementia model of care have helped place dementia hire on the national agenda. The expansion of memory assessment and support services, specialist memory clinics, dementia advisers and community-based supports has improved access to care and support for many people and their families. However, despite this progress, there are still challenges that must be addressed. Across Ireland, too many people continue to face delays in diagnosis, unequal access to services and uncertainty about where to turn following a diagnosis. For many families, receiving a diagnosis is only the beginning of a long and often difficult journey. While medical care is essential, dementia is about far more than healthcare. It affects housing, transport, employment, social participation and financial security. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, in a public consultation on the cost of disability, has highlighted a reality that is too often overlooked, namely, the significant financial burden associated with dementia. People living with dementia and their families frequently face additional costs related to care, healthcare, transport, home adaptations and day-to-day living. Some report exhausting their savings, postponing healthcare appointments or making difficult decisions about their future because of financial pressures. The challenge can be particularly acute for the 5,200 people living with young, onset dementia. Many receive a diagnosis before the age of 65, at a stage in life when they may still be working, raising children, paying a mortgage or supporting a family. The loss of employment and income can cause a profound financial shock at precisely the moment when additional support is most needed. These realities remind us that dementia must be viewed not only through a healthcare lens, but also through the lens of disability rights, social inclusion and economic security. As Ireland reviews its national dementia policy, we have an opportunity to develop a more comprehensive response, one that reflects the full lived experience of people with dementia and those who care for them. The response should be focused on early diagnosis, equitable access to services, stronger supports for family carers, dementia-inclusive communities and measures that address the financial impact of living with dementia. It should also ensure the voices of people living with dementia, their families and advocacy organisations remain central to policymaking. Dementia is not a future challenge, but a present reality for tens of thousands of people across Ireland. The question is whether our policies, services and supports are keeping pace with this reality. The progress achieved to date provides the foundation, but the scale of this challenge requires greater urgency, sustained investment and a clear, long-term vision. In 2011, there were 600,000 people over the age of 65. That figure is now 860,000 and within three years, there will be over 1 million people aged over 65. Challenges will come very fast and we need to respond accordingly, ensuring we have adequate services to support the individuals affected, as well as the families caring for them.

Sentiment score: 0.24