Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue for discussion and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for its having been selected. As Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, I am fully committed to the continued development and enhancement of our disability services, through the implementation of my Department’s Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026. As the Deputy will be aware, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a preventable neurodevelopmental condition. It is a group of disorders caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social and behavioural difficulties. FASD is caused by the consumption of alcohol at any time from six weeks before conception, by either parent, until the baby is born.

Many people do not know or recognise that they are living with FASD. The most recent available figures from the HSE, to which the Deputy alluded, estimate the prevalence of FASD in Ireland is between 2.8 and 7.4% of the population. An estimated 600 Irish babies are born each year with foetal alcohol syndrome. The majority of children with FASD have no visible issues at birth, and difficulties may not manifest until preschool age. Currently, there are no standard diagnostic policies or guidelines for diagnosing or treating children with FASD in Ireland.

In line with the HSE’s mainstream first approach to the delivery of healthcare, such measures, supports and campaigns are led across the country by the HSE’s health and well-being division, under the remit of the Department of Health and overseen by the HSE clinical lead for FASD prevention. The HSE has recommended that a number of actions are implemented to prevent FASD. Many of these actions are being progressed and some new actions are proposed that will require resourcing, such as the development of a national strategy for FASD prevention and response in Ireland.

While the Department of Health oversees policy development and direction for FASD, within own Department I was pleased to secure funding in budget 2024 for a foetal alcohol project which will be undertaken using a multi-care health sector approach, including disability services, primary care and mental health services. The Deputy alluded to the fact that FASD is not just a health or disability issue but is actually cross-departmental. There is also a justice piece and an education piece. This is one of a number of targeted services for children which will be progressed in line with the HSE approval process. I assure the House that my officials and I are committed to working with colleagues in the Department, alongside other stakeholders, to ensure that the issue of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is considered a priority.

I think the Deputy referred to page 38 of the HSE service plan. She is right that FASD is mentioned there. It is regrettable that to date FASD Ireland has not received a letter to confirm how much funding it will receive. Approximately €200,000 in funding will be awarded to the team in Clare for the national hub. I commend the work it has done in putting in place the telephone line and supporting families when there is such a deficit in Departments and the HSE in terms of taking on the mantle of providing support. I compliment the team in Clare on what it is doing. I am very supportive of it. There is a tug of love within the Departments as to where FASD really sits. I have taken ownership of it but, at the same time, there is a role for the HSE and we acknowledge that it sits with it.

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