Ivor Callely
Question:86 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the total number of people who availed of alcohol treatment programmes in 1991; and if he will give comparative figures for the years 1961, 1971 and 1981.
Written Answers. - Alcohol Treatment Programmes.
Information relating to the number of admissions of persons suffering from alcoholism who are referred to psychiatric hospitals for treatment is compiled on an annual basis by the Health Research Board on behalf of my Department. The latest year for which information is available is in repect of the year ended 31 December 1989. Information in relation to 1961 is not available. The number of admissions for alcohol abuse and alcohol psychosis in relation to 1971, 1981 and 1989 is as follows:
|
Male |
Female |
Totals |
|
|
1971 |
3,106 |
614 |
3,720 |
|
1981 |
5,984 |
1,361 |
7,345 |
|
1989 |
5,314 |
1,474 |
6,608 |
These figures do not include admissions to community based treatment services. This information is not routinely collected by my Department.
The report on the development of psychiatric services,Planning for the Future published in 1984 recommended the development of a community based alcoholism service. This report has been adopted by successive Governments and in line with this policy comprehensive community based alcoholism programmes are being developed by health boards.