Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1740. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the current status and work of the Public Health Alcohol Research Group; when a report will issue from the group; if he intends to publish the group’s report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1636/24]
View answer1741. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the mechanisms in place for the monitoring and evaluation of outcomes of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1637/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1740 and 1741 together.
The Public Health Alcohol Research Group (PHARG) was established in 2019. The purpose of the Group is to ensure that the measures implemented under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 are comprehensively evaluated to assess their effectiveness in meeting the policy objectives of the legislation. The PHARG’s activity during 2020-2022 focussed on developing logic models, reviewing key outcomes and indicators, identifying potential data requirements and overarching evidence needs. The result of this scoping work provides important baseline data for effective monitoring and evaluation of the main provisions of the Act. The scoping work was continued and completed despite the severe disruption to the Group caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PHARG has completed its report: Monitoring and Evaluating the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018: A report from the Public Health Alcohol Research Group 2020-2022. The Report remains under review and I will take it into consideration when deciding on future work.
