Budget 2027: A Clear Path to Better Community Supports Building a Dementia-Inclusive Ireland

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland welcomes the additional €1.4 million in funding for our vital dementia supports and services announced in Budget 2027.

This investment represents a positive step forward and demonstrates a welcome commitment to enhancing services and supports for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

The new funding package supports a range of our important community-based dementia supports and services, supporting us to expand day care services, dementia day care at home, young-onset dementia activity clubs and provides five additional dementia advisers.

In addition, The ASI welcomes the allocation for new home support hours, delivering an additional 1.8 million hours of support, with a minimum of 24% of all new home support hours being allocated to people with dementia in 2027 (up from 22% from last year). This investment has the potential to help more people with dementia remain in their own homes for longer and provide much-needed support to family carers.

These are all areas highlighted in The ASI’s Pre-Budget Submission 2027: A Clear Path to Better Community Supports – Building a Dementia-Inclusive Ireland, making this investment a welcome step towards strengthening community-based supports.

This funding is a timely recognition of the growing impact of dementia on individuals, families and communities across Ireland and will support progress on several commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

Sustained investment and long-term planning

With an estimated almost 70,000 people currently living with dementia in Ireland, and demand for services continuing to increase, sustained investment and long-term planning will be essential to ensure that people living with dementia and their family carers can access the supports they need.

While this funding is welcome, significant challenges remain in meeting the growing needs of all those affected by dementia in Ireland. The ASI will continue to be ambitious in its vision for improving the lives of everyone impacted by dementia and in advocating for the resources that are needed.

The ASI acknowledges the ongoing engagement of Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell TD, whose leadership, focus on improving dementia supports and services, and commitment to supporting people living with dementia have been greatly valued. The ASI also recognises the continued engagement and support of Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD for her ongoing engagement and support in Budget 2027.

The ASI looks forward to continuing its work with Government, the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Dementia, the Department of Health and the HSE to strengthen services, enhance community supports and deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of people living with dementia and their families across Ireland.

Additional positive announcements in Budget 2027: 

• In addition, The ASI is also encouraged by additional dementia measures announced in Budget 2027 which will focus on expanding access to Memory Assessment and Support Services (MASS), including working with the HSE to progress Ireland’s participation in GENFI (the Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative) and advancing the establishment of a National Specialist Dementia and Memory Centre. The centre will support people with complex and genetic dementias and strengthen Ireland’s role in dementia research, trials and innovation.
• In particular, the announcement of the shingles vaccine for the immunocompromised and those most vulnerable in a phased approach is a significant and positive step. It was previously inaccessible for many due to cost. Expanding access will help address health inequalities while enabling more people to benefit from an intervention that has been associated with a potential reduction in dementia risk of up to 20%.
• We also commend the further investment in the Meals on Wheels service which continues to support local communities.
• The ASI also notes the Social Protection measures announced in Budget 2027, including the introduction of a Disability Payment, measures for Carer’s Allowance income disregards, the Carer’s Support Grant and an increase to the Fuel Allowance. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these measures on some of the people who we support.

Link to Department of Health Press Release: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/press-releases/minister-for-older-people-kieran-odonnell-announces-budget-2027-funding-increases/

Regards,

Andy Heffernan, CEO, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

The ASI is presenting the Government with investment options for dementia supports and services that enhance availability and ensure access to appropriate supports at every stage and ensure that people with dementia and their family carer can live as well as possible, at home and in their communities for as long as possible.

The ASI is urging the Government to invest €8,238,730 in dementia in Budget 2027.  

Pre Budget Submission 2027 – Asks

1. €240,000 Develop new dementia-specific Day Care Centres
2. €100,000 Expand capacity in existing Day Care Centres
3. €716,100 Increase Day Care at Home supports
4. €6,163,200 Increase Investment in Dementia-Specific Home Care Support
5. €629,000 Expand the Dementia Adviser Service
6. €210,080 Fund Activity Groups for younger-onset and early-stage dementia
7. €75,000 External evaluation of the Activity Clubs
8. €105,350 Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST)

1. Develop New Dementia-Specific Day Care Centres 

€240,000 | Develop five new day care centres | 40 clients per week | 2,000 annual attendances

Dementia-specific day centres are vibrant community hubs that offer a warm, welcoming environment where people living with dementia can connect, stay active, and thrive beyond the home. An investment of €240,000 will fund the establishment of five new one-day day care centres where the demand is greatest.

2. Expand Capacity in Existing Day Care Centres

€100,000 | Expand 3 existing day care centres | 20 clients per week | 2,500 annual attendances

To further strengthen community connections through social interaction and structured, person-centred activities, The ASI is seeking €100,000 to expand capacity across three existing day care services: Bessboro, Blackrock, Cork City; Whistlemount, Navan, Co. Meath; and Bethany House, Carlow. This investment will support an additional 20 clients per week, delivering approximately 2,500 annual attendances across the three locations.

3. Increase Day Care at Home Supports

€716,100 | Deliver 21,700 hours | 173 new clients

Day Care at Home is a specialist dementia service delivered by trained care workers who provide one-to-one, person-centred support to individuals living with dementia. The support is activity-based, focusing on stimulation and social interaction. The proposed expansion would support service provision across the country, targeting areas of greatest need and helping to address regional inequities in access.

4. Increase Investment in Dementia-Specific Home Care Support

€6,163,200 | 180,000 additional home care hours ringfenced for dementia

People living with dementia have diverse and complex needs when it comes to homecare. Dementia-specific home support provides person-centred, consistent and continuous care. This care is designed and delivered in partnership with the person living with dementia and their family carer, ensuring support is tailored, responsive and respectful of individual needs.

5. Expand the Dementia Adviser Service

€629,000 | Deliver 8 Dementia Advisers

Dementia Advisers deliver a locally based, personalised service that provides information, signposting, and emotional support to people concerned about their cognitive health, as well as those with a diagnosis of dementia, throughout their journey. The ASI is seeking funding to recruit eight additional Dementia Advisers strengthening access to this vital support nationwide.

6. Fund Activity Groups for Younger-Onset and Early-Stage Dementia 

€210,080 | Deliver 10 Activity Clubs

Activity Clubs are among the most valuable social supports for people living with young-onset and early-stage dementia. They provide safe, inclusive, and engaging environments where participants can take part in a wide range of enjoyable and therapeutic activities that enhance wellbeing and quality of life. These include art therapy, music sessions, gardening, and tailored social events and outings.

7. External Evaluation of the Activity Clubs

€75,000 | evidence-based assessment | Ascertain full impact

An external evaluation would provide a clear, evidence-based assessment of the impact of the Activity Clubs. Using a supportive and non-intrusive approach, it would gather feedback from staff, participants, and advocates to build a comprehensive picture of the service.

8. Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST)

€105,350 | Deliver 10 programmes (a programme is 1 x a 24-week session)

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological intervention that supports cognitive function and enhances quality of life for people living with dementia. It combines structured cognitive activities with meaningful social interaction; all delivered within a person-centred framework. Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) sessions are planned to follow on from the completion of the 14-session (seven-week) CST programme and run once weekly over a 24-week period. MCST extends the benefits of the CST over time, helping to sustain engagement and wellbeing.

On 24th June, The ASI launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2027 calling for over €8 million in investment to address the growing needs of people living with dementia and their family carers.

Staff, Advocates and Board Members attended the event at Buswells Hotel, Dublin. The ASI appreciates the engagement of Ministers, TDs, Senators, and political staff who participated in discussions about the need for investment in dementia supports and services that will ensure that people with dementia and their family carer can live as well as possible for as long as possible.

Click on the link 

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland commissioned Aurex Insights to examine the financial impact of community-based dementia supports.

The analysis found that fully funding these supports through the HSE and its social partners could save €476 million across the health and social protection budgets in 2028.

These savings could come from fewer avoidable emergency department visits, shorter delays in discharging people from hospital, less premature use of the Fair Deal scheme, and better support for family carers to help prevent burnout.

Click here for the full report: The Fiscal Cost of Inaction Economic Analysis Supporting the ASI Pre-Budget Submission 2027 FINAL

Click here for the report summary: ASI_Budget_2027_Community_Dementia_Care_Advocacy_Note_020926