Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our speakers online and in the committee room. Some of the statistics and impacts mentioned have been shocking, particularly in the areas in which the witnesses are experts. I thank Ms Leonard from Alcohol Forum Ireland, Mr. Greaves, co-ordinator with Ballymun local drugs and alcohol task force, and Mr. Cooney, senior addiction councillor at the Rutland Centre. They have given a stark outline of the impact of alcohol and drugs on people, including young people. I represent rural and regional areas in Roscommon and east Galway but there is a lot of alcohol and drugs in towns and villages around Ireland as well as in our urban centres. I lived for many years in Dublin. I lived on the North Circular Road close to Summerhill and worked in Glasnevin. I went to the swimming pool in Ballymun and worked part-time job in Finglas many years ago. I worked with communities there and know the strength of community and the pride in that area. I also understand the immense challenges that face so many people, including young people, in that area.

Ms Leonard spoke of the impact of 24-hour drink delivery on young people. The culture and attitude to alcohol can be dangerous. I have checked and confirmed, as Ms Leonard mentioned, that a new scheme of the sale of alcohol Bill will be published by the year end. Ms Leonard raised restrictions on delivery and easy access to alcohol and those are key points. I know they are considering those in putting the Bill together. We will probably have more opportunities to discuss that later this year. She also highlighted the global alcohol action plan and the World Health Organization. I think she mentioned the SAFER initiative. Those are all key points.

Mr. Greaves mentioned the breakdown of family connection during the lockdown. The influence that older members of families such as grandparents had on younger people has been crucial. Maybe those connections have been lost. I am sure grandparents play a huge role with young people, through childcare and everything else, from a very young age. He spoke about safe community spaces to study and access to devices. Funds have been allocated through the education and training boards, ETBs. I am curious about how that is being promoted within the area. Are families able to access any of that? How do family resource centres operate in Ballymun and other urban areas? How are those linkages happening?

Ms Leonard spoke about domestic abuse, the parent helpline and coping mechanisms. It was said the evidence is the rise in requests for barring orders. Now that society is opening up again, are changes under way or is domestic abuse continuing at the same level? Are we seeing the same rise in barring orders and engagements with the Garda?

Dr. McMonagle mentioned the multidisciplinary area. I worked in health innovation and so on. How is she linking in with public health under the community healthcare organisations, CHOs? I assume it is CHO 1 in her area. I have had loved ones who have gone through alcohol abuse. Locally, I am working with somebody whose partner increased their drinking throughout the lockdown and is now dealing with early onset alcohol-related dementia, which is incredible. That person is probably in their late 50s and it is having such a toll on the family, as well as the person enduring this. Dr. McMonagle mentioned the national working group and talked about mixing addiction psychology and neuropsychiatry services. Will she expand on that a little bit?