Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1200. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) was not included as one of the priority areas of research recently published by her Department; her plans to include FASD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30044/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person exposed to alcohol before birth. People with FASDs can have lifelong effects, including problems with behaviour and learning as well as physical problems. FASDs are preventable if a developing baby is not exposed to alcohol.

FASD occupies a spectrum of need; the remit of this Department arises if there is a disability which is complex in nature and the child may require services from Children Disability Network Teams. As these are operational and clinical matters under the HSE, the Department would not be directly commissioning research.

The Deputy may wish to note the Expert Advisory Group on FASD is under the remit of the Department of Health. This Department is aware that research on FASD has taken place under this group. The Deputy may wish to contact the Department of Health in that regard.