asked the Minister for Health if figures are available of the proportion, respectively, of men and women who are alcoholics; and the estimated number of deaths annually from this disease for the past five years to the latest available date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deaths from Alcoholism.
15.
I am not in a position to provide the information requested in the first part of the Deputy's question. However, and analysis of admissions into psychiatric hospitals for the year 1970 shows that of all admissions for the treatment of alcoholism and alcoholic psychoses, 85 per cent were male and 15 per cent were female.
Figures for deaths caused by alcoholism or alcoholic psychoses have been obtained from the Central Statistics Office for the five year period 1967 to 1971 and are as follows:
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
1967 |
3 |
3 |
|
1968 |
4 |
3 |
|
1969 |
5 |
2 |
|
1970 |
3 |
2 |
|
1971 |
8 |
1 |
These figures are not realistic in that persons may die from other maladies while being, in fact, subject to alcoholism or near alcoholism.
I am delighted to hear the Minister say that the figures are not realistic.
They are not in the least realistic.