Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Alcohol-related harm costs the country €3.7 billion, of which €1.2 billion is due to alcohol-related crime. Some 97% of public order offences recorded on the PULSE system are due to alcohol. These figures do not include the human cost to the individual and his or her family. I recently met a group of people in recovery who outlined the cost of their alcoholism. These costs include €100 every time they presented to an emergency department, €1,000 per night when they were hospitalised and additional sums for GP visits and medication, as well as the costs associated with accidents and being out of work. These expenses create further stress for themselves and their families. Now that they are in recovery, they are back at work and paying taxes. Some of them run businesses and employ people. Furthermore, they are also supporting others in recovery. There are also knock-on effects for their families and communities.

I ask the Minister to give specific details on the range of interventions available. If individuals present to an emergency department with an alcohol-related illness, to where are they referred and what information are they given?

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