§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease aged(a) 65 years and over (b) under 65 years in Northern Ireland, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Moss[holding answer 9 March 1995]: Based on surveys of the prevalence of dementia elsewhere, it is estimated that in 1992 there were 11,500 people over 65 with dementia in Northern Ireland and some 750 people under 65 suffering from the disease. It is thought that about 70 per cent. of dementias are caused in whole or part by Alzheimer's disease.
The Department of Health and Social Services has recently undertaken a comprehensive scrutiny of its policy on dementia. The report of the scrutiny is to be published in May and a copy will be placed in the Library.