Vol. 568 No. 1
551 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children the new measures he proposes to take to deal with the situation in public houses, specifically the crisis facing staff and patients in accident and emergency wards, particularly coming up to the weekends when individuals present themselves with a combination of alcohol and drug-related ailments, in view of the widespread public concern at this growing problem. [15532/03]
I have expressed my concerns about the issue of alcohol misuse on many occasions. Following a recommendation of the Commission on Liquor Licensing, I established a strategic task force on alcohol to provide specific evidence-based measures to Government to reduce alcohol related harm. The interim report of the task force has been the subject of a Government decision and an interdepartmental group has been established to co-ordinate the responses of other Departments to the recommendations.
The health promotion unit of my Department has initiated a number of measures aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. These include the development of a responsible serving of alcohol programme in association with the drinks industry group. The programme is designed to enable those working in the pub and hospitality trade to deal with and prevent problems such as intoxication, underage drinking and drinking and driving.
The unit has also commissioned an alcohol and injuries study to measure the impact of alcohol on accident and emergency departments. The study is being conducted in five major hospitals: the Mater Misericordiae; St. Vincent's University Hospital Dublin; Cork University Hospital; University College Hospital Galway; and Waterford Regional Hospital. It follows a WHO protocol in line with eight other countries. In addition to measuring the proportion of alcohol-related attendances in accident and emergency, the study will provide information on the patterns of alcohol injuries and the context in which drinking had taken place. The study will take approximately one year to complete.
A public awareness campaign is continuing to highlight the issues relating to alcohol abuse. Previous phases of the campaign have included an emphasis on high risk drinking, a college awareness initiative and underage drinking involving a radio and poster campaign.
