Ms Paula Leonard:

I come at Senator Dolan's observations from a slightly different angle. With alcohol related brain injury and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, FASD, we can demonstrate from the evidence that by providing for early intervention and supports for families affected by the conditions there are huge potential cost savings to the State. Canada is considered to be one of the global leaders when it comes to prevention, treatment and support in dealing with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The Canadian Federal Government has estimated that it costs taxpayers the equivalent of €1.2 million extra - Canadian $1.75 million - for every person who is born prenatally alcohol exposed, but that huge cost savings can be made through early intervention, diagnosis and support services across a person's life span. Reference was made to waste in the health system. Wasted resources in dealing with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders span the range of systems, including, for example, trying to address the issue of drop-outs in the education system and the cost to the justice system of somebody being incarcerated and jailed simply because they did not receive the right support or advocacy services within the system. It is in terms of social and health supports such as not diagnosing or understanding the conditions and comorbidities.

The Senator is correct that our asks are related to our approach, understanding and acceptance that these are significant public health issues.

Our policy position on the development of diagnostics is informed by the families impacted on by foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Two years ago we supported families to form an alliance to end the neurological developmental disorder prenatal alcohol exposure, PAE. When I asked those families about their one ask at today’s proceedings, they all stated it was about looking for clear diagnostic guidelines. They point out that nothing can happen until we at least understand what is happening with children. They can then become advocates for the provision of transitional places in schools and so forth. There will be a budget, but it will be a spend-to-save approach if it is done properly.