Irish Statistics

Numbers

• There are currently more than 44,000 people in Ireland with dementia, with the number expected to be in excess of 104,000 by 2036 unless there is a medical breakthrough.
• In 2009 there will be an estimated 4,000 new cases of dementia in Ireland.
• Dementia can affect younger people; currently approximately 4,000 people in Ireland under the age of 65 have Younger Onset Dementia.
• Between 2002 and 2036, the number of people with dementia in Ireland is expected to increase by 303%, while the total population increases by less than 40%.
• Dementia affects the lives of nearly 50,000 people in Ireland who are involved in caring someone with one of the six symptoms of dementia.

Costs

• In 2006 the baseline cost of dementia in Ireland was estimated at €400m
• Family carers provide 57% of the value of informal care without compensation.
• Less than 10% of the cost of dementia in Ireland is attributable to community care services
• Demographic trends, health and social care cost and disease burden mean that dementia must be designated a National Health Priority in Ireland
• The Dementia Manifesto 2007-2009 calls for targeted investment of €35m per year over 3 years in the following areas:
  1. Enhanced and flexible community based services (€21m pa x 3)
  2. Early diagnosis, intervention awareness and education (€4m pa x 3)
  3. Medical and social research (€10m pa x 3)