7304 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Associate Minister of Health

7304 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Associate Minister of Health: What budget, if any, has Health New Zealand set aside for supporting service delivery pathways for people living with young/early onset dementia?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that while some regions may allocate a small budget for local individual services, such as early-onset dementia, Health New Zealand does not hold a specific or ring-fenced budget for young or early onset dementia. I am further advised that funding for dementia-related services is included within broader system level allocations; for example, through older people’s health services including aged residential care, rather than being specifically targeted to younger onset dementia.