Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

The Act necessitates the separation of services. It will no longer be possible for patients with alcohol problems to be referred to a psychiatric institution. It is important that alcoholism is recognised as a disease that should be treated in the context of general health rather then psychiatric services. On behalf of those people who have worked in the service for so long, I look forward to hearing the Minister of State indicate his intention to adequately resource and finance a residential service in Ballinasloe.