Dementia treatment is 'under-funded and under-prioritised'

A new report by Trinity College, Dublin, has criticised the care provided to people with dementia in Ireland.

It found that almost 42,000 people suffer from the illness which costs around €1.7bn every year and has a higher incidence than cancer and heart disease.

More than half of sufferers live at home and most have never been formally diagnosed.

Trinity Associate Professor Suzanne Cahill, who carried out the report, said the illness is hidden, under-funded and under-prioritised.

Ms Cahill said: "GPs are quite hesitant or reluctant to get involved in this area, diagnosing takes time and there are no financial incentives.

"The resources are few, there are difficulties liaising with memory clinics and in getting tests back from hospital services, so in general it is a difficult area."

However, the Minister for Health James Reilly has said a new National Dementia Strategy is being developed.

He said the cutbacks announced in the HSE service plan earlier this week should not affect the care provided to those with the illness.