Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

The national alcohol policy, published in September 1996, provides that a dedicated national alcohol surveillance function be established by the Department of Health and Children. This function is performed on a contractual basis by Target Health. The principal duties of this function are to advise the health promotion unit on alcohol policy issues; collate and co-ordinate relevant data on alcohol policy issues, alcohol consumption, alcohol related health problems, indicators of alcohol related harm, alcohol related offences and expenditure on alcohol, including the establishment of a database of information; liaise with statutory and non-statutory organisations, either in association with or on behalf of the Department of Health and Children, to assess the extent to which agencies implement the national alcohol policy; conduct and advise on research projects; brief departmental officials on relevant international developments in the general area of alcohol policies and of strategies to promote moderation in alcohol consumption; advise the Department of international research and evidence of best practice on alcohol policy; and represent the Department on national and international expert groups on alcohol policy.

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