Dr. Austin O'Carroll:

I thank Deputy Gould. Starting with problems concerning data gathering, collecting all the data and keeping it on a computer database will make it possible to do what is called large data analysis. It could be set up to generate mortality reports and other statistics automatically. I would not then have to be doing all the analysis every five years. It could be done almost every year automatically. The DRHE is looking at that idea of large data analysis. That is the first thing that should be done. The critical incident analysis process would also be helpful in Dublin and Cork. It would not just be about Dublin. The DRHE report I did is specifically for Dublin, but the same model could be applied anywhere in the country.

Turning to the Deputy's point regarding substance misuse, the critical incident analysis could track the journey undertaken by those experiencing substance abuse to find out if there could have been interventions. I totally agree with the Deputy that the chances of a relapse significantly increase when people come off drugs, get clean and then end up back in a hostel. It would be absolutely ideal if it were possible to have a model where people could go into drug treatment, come out clean and then go into drug-free accommodation or their own accommodation. The State should be more responsible for providing this accommodation. However, the Dutch model in this regard often uses housing agencies to provide housing services for the State and I think it is a successful model. I also absolutely agree with Deputy Gould regarding poverty and childhood trauma. We must look at how we can reduce both of those impacts on lives. Early school interventions, such as Sure Start, have been used in the UK. Education and childhood support at primary school and preschool levels are critical in this regard.