Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 1

Written Answers. - Alcoholism Treatment Admissions.

Ivor Callely

Question:

119 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the number of admissions to hospitals for the treatment of alcoholism in each of the years 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1995; if he will give a breakdown by age and sex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4174/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Statistics in relation to the activities of psychiatric hospitals and units, both public and private, are compiled on behalf of my Department by the Health Research Board.

Statistics furnished by the board in relation to admissions to psychiatric hospitals and units for the treatment of alcohol disorders in the years 1990 and 1995 are illustrated in the following tables 1 and 2 and are classified by both age and gender mix.

The board's collation of statistics for the years 1970 and 1980 did not include a classification by both age and gender mix. Tables 3 and 4, following, illustrate the board's collation of statistics for those years.

Alcohol abuse has, of course, very serious consequences and can lead to significant problems. With this in mind, I launched a national alcohol policy in September 1996. It is directed at reducing the prevalence of alcohol related problems in Irish society through an emphasis on moderation in alcohol consumption. The main aim of the policy is to influence public attitude and habits so that for those who choose to drink, moderate drinking becomes personally and socially acceptable and favoured in the Irish culture.

TABLE 1.

1995 Admissions to Public and Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Units for Alcoholic Disorders.

Age	Male	Female	Total
Under 15	3	—	3
15-19	39	7	46
20-24	167	34	201
25-34	718	195	913
35-44	1,099	397	1,496
45-54	978	419	1,397
55-64	567	170	737
65-74	266	100	366
75 and Over	56	37	93
Unspecified	4	6	10
Total	3,897	1,365	5,262

TABLE 2.

1990 Admissions to Public and Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Units for Alcoholic Disorders.

Age	Male	Female	Total
Under 15	2	1	3
15-19	46	7	53
20-24	206	35	241
25-34	1,036	205	1,241
35-44	1,468	479	1,947
45-54	1,107	355	1,462
55-64	688	168	856
65-74	309	114	423
75 and Over	112	16	128
Unspecified	20	3	23
Total	4,994	1,383	6,377

TABLE 3.

1980 Admissions to Public and Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Units for Alcoholic Disorders.

Age	Male	Female	Unspecified by gender	Total
Under 15	—	—	—	12
15-19	—	—	—	31
20-24	—	—	—	235
25-34	—	—	—	1,444
35-44	—	—	—	1,997
45-54	—	—	—	1,727
55-64	—	—	—	1,047
65-74	—	—	—	528
75 & Over	—	—	—	—
Total	5,653	1,386	—	7,021

TABLE 4.

1970 Admissions to Public and Private Psychiatric Hospitals and Units for Alcoholic Disorders.

Age	Male	Female	Unspecified	Total
			by gender
Under 15	—	—	—	1
15-19	—	—	—	12
20-24	—	—	—	65
25-34	—	—	—	500
35-44	—	—	—	850
45-54	—	—	—	863
55-64	—	—	—	545
65 & Over	—	—	—	218
Unspecified	—	—	—	19
Total	2,609	456	8	3,073