Debate contribution: Dementia Awareness Training

Debate contribution by Mr Mike Nesbitt on 2 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Mike Nesbitt
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 2 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Dementia Awareness Training
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5584254

Text

At present, there is no statutory requirement, as the Member knows, to mandate dementia awareness training across the system. I strongly endorse the importance of such training as a key element of workforce development, but — the Member will not like this — it is not proposed to introduce a compulsory requirement at this time. The Department operates within an enabling framework where employers retain responsibility under existing employment and professional regulatory arrangements to ensure that their staff are appropriately trained and competent to carry out their roles. That approach allows for proportionate implementation while supporting organisations to embed dementia awareness within their broader training and their governance structures.

109 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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