Frances Fitzgerald
Question:331 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the results to date of his initiatives with the universities regarding sponsorship by companies; and the role of such sponsorship in universities. [28890/01]
Vol. 544 No. 3
331 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the results to date of his initiatives with the universities regarding sponsorship by companies; and the role of such sponsorship in universities. [28890/01]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to a recent initiative which involved the health promotion unit of my Department, the universities and third level institutions and the Union of Students in Ireland coming together to formulate a response to growing concerns about high-risk drinking among students and its impact on student attrition and academic performance.
One of the actions called for in the national alcohol policy was the development of a campus alcohol policy which would promote sensible drinking among students and limit campus-related drinks industry sponsorship. Following discussions among a number of colleges, a working group was established consisting of representatives from the third level institutions and universities, the Union of Students in Ireland and the national alcohol policy adviser to the health promotion unit of my Department to develop such a policy. The University of Limerick hosted the working group's meetings and the Higher Education Authority also provided support.