Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Our guests will be aware of the chronic lack of investment in these services across the board.

We have only half of the recommended number of specialist rehabilitation beds for a population of Ireland's size. We also have the lowest number of consultants in rehabilitation medicine in Europe, which, again, is very disappointing.

I have a few questions for the representatives of the Alcohol Forum. While I am very familiar with the other organisations represented and have worked with them, I am not as familiar with the Alcohol Forum. Reading through the submission it sent to the committee, it is very disappointing to note the lack of experience in the area of assessment and the associated stigma. I note that 80% of people affected are missed diagnostically. Will the forum's representatives expand on this? In this day and age, I cannot believe there is still stigma attached to the condition.