The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Date published 19 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Sent an open letter to the Government from our working groups (Irish Dementia Working Group and the Dementia Carers Campaign Network) in relation to Blister Packs being an essential support for people with dementia and family carers.

Intended results To highlight that the proposed withdrawal of funding from the blister pack scheme would risk placing a new monthly cost on older people, those living with dementia, and family carers. To encourage a collaborative approach to resolving this issue and to demonstrate that the working groups are happy to be a part of providing input on any potential solutions.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Head of Advocacy, Research and Public Affairs Cormac Cahill

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

The open letter to Government from our working groups (Irish Dementia Working Group and the Dementia Carers Campaign Network) in relation to Blister Packs Being an Essential Support for People with Dementia and Family Carers was sent via email on 19th December 2025. The letter highlighted the importance of maintaining funding for pharmacy-issued medication blister packs and to encourage a collaborative approach to resolving this issue.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State (Department of Health)

Mary Butler Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister (Department of Health)

Fiona O'Loughlin Senator (Seanad)

George Lawlor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)