Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to address the increasing problem of alcohol misuse (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27061/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is concerned about alcohol-related harm and the increase in consumption in the total population as well as the increased prevalence of high-risk drinking. This problem calls for a concerted cross-Departmental approach involving a range of key Departments and stakeholders. The two reports of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol (STFA) provide a blueprint for tackling alcohol related harm. The reports have been presented to the Government and the Department of Health and Children and other relevant Departments have been authorised to implement the recommendations coming within their remit.

Significant progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the reports in areas such as advertising, responsible serving, education and research. A Working Group on Alcohol was established under the Special Initiative on Tackling Alcohol and Drug Misuse in Sustaining Progress to help mobilise the stakeholders through social partnership to achieve targeted and measurable reductions in these areas. The Group's remit was to examine the areas of high-risk drinking, underage drinking and drink driving and to identify actions which member organisations could adopt to address these issues with a view to developing a programme of action. The Working Group has now submitted its report which includes recommendations on issues such as community mobilisation, workplace alcohol policies, advertising, labelling, education and awareness.

As aspects of the Deputy's question relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including the future development and implementation of alcohol awareness initiatives and campaigns, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Services Executive to arrange to have this matter further investigated and to have a response issued directly to the Deputy.