Health Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-09
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I thank the Deputy. Many of the memory clinics evolved organically over many years. I am aware that there is a memory technology resource room in Clonmel, which supports people with technology when, for example, they are living well at home with dementia, but it is important that we get the memory clinic back up and running. These clinics are a vital cog in the wheel. There is an excellent dementia adviser in south Tipperary. I have met her many times. She is fantastic. There is a great partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. I commend it on the work it does. The opening of the new service in Cappoquin last Friday brought to 62 the number of dementia day services across the country. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for following on and making sure that dementia in general remains a key part of the work that he does every day of the week.
We always talk about the prevalence of early onset dementia. We are seeing more and more younger people with it. As the Deputy knows, we had the two fantastic Adams brothers in Ireland only recently. They ran 33 marathons in 33 days. I had the honour of meeting them with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and others. We had a very good conversation. I am delighted to say that they will be coming back to Ireland early in July. We will have statements on dementia in the House and the brothers will be present.
I thank the Deputy for putting the spotlight on dementia today, specifically with regard to Cashel and the memory clinic. I will speak with the Minister of State in the next week or so and try to make sure that we get traction and get this service back open as quickly as possible.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-09