Election 2011

In the run up to the general election 2011 The Society devised a campaign to ensure a commitment to a National Dementia Strategy was included in the new Programme for Government.

An election manifesto was devised calling on all the candidates if elected to pledge their support for the 44,000 people living with dementia in Ireland and their 50,000 carers in the following ways:

• A commitment to developing a National Dementia Strategy by 2013 be included in the next Programme for Government
• The provision of quality driven, dementia specific services in the community

Following a grassroots led campaign, we received 65 pledges of support from cross party politicians, 33 of whom have since been elected, including 7 incoming Front Bench TDs, 2 incoming Junior Ministers and the newly appointed Ceann Comhairle.

The Fine Gael/ Labour Programme for Government currently reads:

We will.... "Develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementias strategy by 2013 to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention, and development of enhanced community based services. This strategy will be implemented over five years.(p38)

To show your support to make dementia a healthcare priority in Ireland please click here