Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in to speak to the committee. We appreciate it. I have had many clients going through St. Patrick Hospital and I know the work it does. I spoke on the issue of mental health in the Dáil. It is an issue I feel very strongly about. I did not see the word "addiction" in the submission. How many people in St. Patrick's Hospital have addiction problems? In my humble layperson's view I believe there is a close link between mental health and addictions, whether it is alcohol or drugs but particularly alcohol, and particularly for young people. It also is becoming more prevalent in the middle-aged and aging population. What programmes does St. Patrick's Hospital have for people with addictions, and what else would the witnesses like to see provided to help those families?