Speech by Tánaiste at Fuchsia Day Care Centre, Listowel

Check against delivery

Good morning.

I am really pleased to be here in Listowel today to officially open the Fuchsia Day Care Centre for Dementia serving people with dementia and their families in Listowel and North Kerry.

This beautiful Centre is the product of many years of hard work by a dedicated group of local people who had the vision to anticipate the growing need for services for older people and to cater for the rising number of people with dementia in particular.

Bringing the Fuchsia Day Care Centre for Dementia from concept to the state-of-the-art Centre we see today involved years of fundraising and I would like to acknowledge the important contribution of the volunteer board of directors and all those who rolled up their sleeves and got involved.

I would like in particular to acknowledge the role played by volunteer director Brendan O’Sullivan who sadly passed away before Christmas.

I would also like to thank the HSE, which has supported the project from the outset: by providing the site the Centre is built on, supporting the design process, contributing to the building costs, and by also supporting the operating costs of the Fuchsia Centre.

Funds are also raised in the local community to support the Centre on an ongoing basis and I would like to thank all those who are involved in the fundraising effort.

Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the leadership role of the Ard Chúram, working together with the local community and the HSE Community Work Department to make Listowel a dementia-inclusive community.

A dementia-inclusive community sends a strong message that people with dementia and their families are valued and respected members of our communities, and that our communities want to support them to stay active and engaged, and to remain independent for as long as possible.

Every day in Ireland there are at least 30 new cases of dementia which has a direct effect on each family.

We know that day care is a vital support for many people with dementia and their families, providing restorative care both for the person with dementia and their loved ones.

The Fuchsia Day Care Centre for Dementia provides a range of person-centred activities in a warm, safe and welcoming environment, offering activities and programmes that promote cognitive stimulation, social engagement, and physical activity.

I am delighted to note that the Centre will commence a fifth day of service later this summer.

Community services like those provided at Ard Chúram are helping to support the delivery of Sláintecare, which is transforming the provision of healthcare in Ireland.

As a government, we continue to invest heavily in community-based services to support older people, including those with dementia, to stay living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

I am pleased to report that this government has made significant investments in dementia care since coming into office in 2020, and I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the role of my colleague, Minister Mary Butler, in prioritising the needs of people with dementia over the past three budgets.

€2.1 million in government funding has been allocated in 2023 to ensure that dementia day care centres can return to full capacity in a post-pandemic environment.

Government funding has also been in place since 2021 for in-home dementia day care for people who for a variety of reasons cannot attend a day care centre.

The number of people with dementia is expected to rise from 65,000 today to 150,000 by 2045, and it is essential that we have all the right care available, in the right place, at the right time.

On 31 May the HSE launched its Model of Care for Dementia, which provides a framework for standardised dementia assessment, diagnosis, disclosure of a diagnosis, post-diagnostic support, and care planning.

To support the Model of Care, hawse have funded ten new Memory Assessment and Support Services, two new Regional Specialist Memory Clinics and a National Intellectual Disability Memory Service in a series of locations around the country over the past three years.

Establishing these essential services will ensure that there is timely access to both diagnosis and post-diagnostic supports, and a reduction in waiting times.

We have funded almost 30 Dementia Advisers throughout the country. These Advisers play a crucial role engaging with people with dementia, their families and carers to provide free and confidential supports and signposting to help connect with essential services.

We are committed to ensuring that everyone affected by this condition has access to the care and support they need at every stage of their dementia journey.

We know that Ireland has a rapidly ageing population, and the majority of people wish to age in place in their own home. In terms of care at home, I am pleased to say that the proportion of new home support hours allocated to people with dementia continues to improve, with this year’s allocation valued at €5.2 million.

Taken together, I am confident that all these investments will greatly improve the experience of people living with dementia and their families in Ireland.

But coming to the all-important local level for a moment, I want to take a moment to formally acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedicated staff and volunteers working at the Fuchsia Day Care Centre.

The work you do is so valuable. Your commitment to providing compassionate care and support for people with dementia is truly inspiring, and I know that the people and families you serve benefit greatly from your expertise and kindness.

Finally, I want to reiterate the government's commitment to improving dementia care in Ireland. I can assure you that I as Tánaiste will continue to work to ensure that we meet the health and social care needs of the growing numbers of people with dementia in the years ahead.

I wish you every success in your work to meet the needs of people with dementia in North Kerry, here in the Fuchsia Day Care Centre for Dementia.

Go raibh maith agaibh.