Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2013
492. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he has received and reviewed a submission (details supplied) on the misuse of alcohol by children and young persons; if he is preparing any new measures to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11152/13]
View answer574. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on action on children's abuse of alcohol; and if he will respond to the report on child abuse of alcohol (details supplied). [11510/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 574 together.
The submission concerned has been received by my Department; and in this context the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group report contains a range of recommendations to, among other things, reduce the consumption of alcohol in general. These recommendations are grouped under five pillars of Supply Reduction (availability), Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Research. The report contains a range of recommendations that impact directly and indirectly on the problem of excessive youth alcohol consumption. Real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including the areas of advertising of alcohol, sponsorship of various public events by the drinks industry and legislation on minimum unit pricing. The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered the aforementioned proposals and I intend to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible.
