Paddy O’Brien, one of the country’s foremost crusaders on behalf of the elderly, said the difficulties people are experiencing accessing home help are “worse now” than he has ever seen.

“In honouring these exceptional individuals, we signal what we value in areas that matter to us and to our society - local history, disability rights, music and environmental sustainability.”

The number of Irish people with dementia will rise 40% in the term of the next government, says the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI).