Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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445. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that were treated for a gambling addiction in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29098/21]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision of addiction treatment services.

People who present to the HSE for addiction treatment for gambling are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug and alcohol addiction, or a mental health concern, including an initial assessment, a comprehensive assessment, and individual counselling. It is often the case that gambling addiction is one of a number of addictions and issues faced by an individual.

Figures produced by the HSE show the following number of cases where people presented with problem gambling:

Information on gambling treatment for 2020 has not been published.

It is understood that the Health Research Board will be publishing a bulletin on 2019/20 gambling prevalence in the autumn.