John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 279: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has information regarding foetal alcohol effects and the possible link to ADHD; her views on the level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy; the steps she is taking to deal with this increasing problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40304/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is aware of the ongoing research on the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The health promotion unit of the Department has produced an information leaflet for women on the effects of alcohol consumption in general. Included in this leaflet are details about the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy. An information leaflet on this issue has also been produced by Foetal Alcohol Support Ireland.

This Department has also funded a research project which involves a review of maternal records held by the Coombe Women's Hospital for the period 1996-2004. The aims of the project are: to describe the prevalence and patterns of alcohol and nicotine use in a sample of pregnant women in Ireland between 1986 and 2004; to examine the association between a set of pregnancy outcome indicators — birth weight, Apgar score — and the consumption patterns; and to examine how alcohol consumption in Ireland, in a sample of pregnant women, relates to use in a similar population in other countries. The results are expected to be available later this year and will inform any future action required.