Mr. Aubrey McCarthy:

Dr. Fiona Weldon of the Rutland Centre conducted a study. When the availability of gambling machines is increased, the level of gambling addiction increases. The study showed that gambling had increased dramatically among males between the ages of 20 and 35 years. In our centre we find that gambling is a silent addiction. The responsibility is on those people in the room who are involved in the gambling industry to try to regulate it as best as possible in order that individuals who are vulnerable and get into trouble with gambling are catered for. That is why we put a proposal to the LGAI. We have a residential facility and offer telephone counselling. We put forward the proposal for the establishment of a telephone gambling helpline and educational offices. We also have outreach services in various counties to show that we are there to deal with the gambling issue. We also have a poster campaign with leaflets. Mr. Murphy said having leaflets in gambling institutions would not solve the problem.

However, it would create an awareness that there was help for people who were struggling and that at least they could be pointed in the right direction. We also proposed to the LGAI that everyone coming under the legislation should have his or her staff trained to be able to observe when a person was in trouble or vulnerable. Tiglin offers educational facilities at its centre in Wicklow for staff training. There would be a cost, but such staff training would mean that the 1% of individuals would be able to get help.