Social support systems Organisation and financing of social
support to people with dementia and carers Background
information on the social/healthcare system in Ireland The
Government’s 2001 “Health Strategy: Quality and Fairness: A
Health System for You” broadly accepted “The Action Plan for
Dementia” (O’Shea & O’Reilly, 1999) and committed to its
implementation over a seven-year period. Today, despite some
improvements, many of its recommendations have yet to be
implemented. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) is currently
lobbying government with their Dementia Manifesto which is
supported by research entitled ‘Implementing Policy for Dementia
Care in Ireland’. They are calling for dementia to be made a
National Health Priority and for the full and accelerated
implementation of the Action Plan. The organisation of social
support for people with dementia and carers The Health Services
Executive (HSE) is the state body organised regionally that is
charged with providing Public Health Services in the Commu