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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 6

Written Answers. - Family Support Services.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

179 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish a comprehensive support service for families affected and afflicted by alcohol abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6713/00]

Seamus Kirk

Question:

180 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Health and Children the statistics and estimates he has available on the number of families affected by alcohol abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6714/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

National policy on the treatment of alcohol abuse, as set out in Planning for the Future, stipulates that the emphasis in the management of alcohol related problems should be on community based intervention rather than on specialist in-patient treatment. Health boards already provide and continue to develop a range of comprehensive community based support services appropriate to the needs of persons affected and afflicted by alcohol abuse. These services include family support and community, medical and social services in the management of the problem. The main therapeutic tools in the treatment of alcohol dependence are psychotherapy, counselling, family and marital therapy, either individually or in group settings. Therapy may take place in a residential or a day setting. As alcohol related problems occur, in many instances, in local and family settings, the community based response can be direct and early, thereby reducing the associated levels of physical, psychological and social problems.

The latest available figures in relation to the activities of the Irish psychiatric service indicate that 5,250 acute admissions to psychiatric hospitals and units in 1997 were attributed to alcoholic disorders, accounting for 20% of all acute admissions. However, as already indicated, much of the service provision in this area is community based and the type of data requested by the Deputy, relating to the number of families affected by alcohol abuse, are not available.

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