Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is advised that the Minister has trebled the allocation of funding dedicated to Long COVID service development from 2.2 million in 2022 to 6.6 million in 2023. This funding is to support the implementation of the HSE interim Model of Care for Long COVID, building on existing service provision, in addition to establishing new services across GP, community services and acute hospitals, to ensure a national service is in place for all who need it.

There is a tertiary Neurocognitive Clinic in St James's Hospital, led by a Consultant Neurologist with background in Neurocognitive Disorders, accepting referrals from Long COVID clinics around the country. The HSE has advised that all Post-Acute and Long COVID clinics will be supported by an interdisciplinary team with expertise in the management of Long COVID, including the neurological sequelae. These interdisciplinary teams guide and support patients through all aspects of recovery, regardless of their primary symptoms. It is also important to note that it is standard for individual specialties within hospitals to refer to each other when the need for specific speciality care arises.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In its 2024 pre-budget submission, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) has called for investment in therapeutic support and education for family carers of people with dementia, among other priorities.

While caring can be a rewarding experience, the Government acknowledges the challenges faced by many family carers, particularly those who are engaged in high intensity caring. In Budget 2021, the Government provided new funding of €2 million under the National Carers' Strategy to improve equity of access to supports for carers across the country. This funding contributes substantially towards delivering the Carers’ Guarantee committed to in the Programme for Government, by providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region. The funding is being used to deliver new supports through Family Carers Ireland (€1.9 million), and Care Alliance Ireland (€0.1 million), and is being provided on an onging basis. These supports include both therapeutic supports and education, and are available for all family carers, including those who care for people with dementia.

A new Model of Care for Dementia was published in May this year. The Model of Care provides a framework for the equitable provision of dementia diagnostic and post-diagnostic supports countrywide, and recognises the important role played by family carers in supporting people with dementia to live well in their own homes and communities.

To support the Model of Care, the Government has provided substantial funding over the past three budgets for ten new Memory Assessment and Support Services (MASS), two new Regional Specialist Memory Clinics (RSMCs), increased resources for two existing RSMCs, and a National Intellectual Disability Memory Service. All of these facilities will provide support to family carers through education, advice on dementia, and information on supports available.

In addition, the national Dementia Adviser Service, funded by Government and operated through the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, plays 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. The Government has also funded a national network of 25 Memory Technology Resource Rooms (MTRRs) which provide free occupational therapist assessments and advice on assistive technology to help people adapt to their condition and maintain a degree of independence for as long as possible, while also providing support to family carers.

The ASI's pre-budget submission, including its request for funding focused on the therapeutic and educational needs of family carers of people with dementia, will be considered by the Department of Health in the context of the estimates and budgetary process.