asked the Minister for Health the action being taken by his Department to deal with the serious problem of alcoholism and drinking by children under 17 years of age.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcoholism Problem.
4.
I have been very concerned with the increasing incidence of alcoholism and heavy drinking. Treatment for alcoholics is already provided in all mental hospitals and in three special units. In addition, I have had the leaflet "What sort of a drinker are you?" distributed as widely as possible. I have encouraged health boards to appoint psychiatric social workers who will specialise in the problem of alcoholism and a number of such workers have already been employed.
A while ago, I requested the Irish National Council on Alcoholism to undertake a survey among interested organisations and individuals with a view to formulating recommendations on the further steps which might be taken to deal with this problem. The council has completed its survey and is now in the process of finalising its recommendations which I hope to receive shortly. I intend that any measures advocated by the council will be examined and, wherever feasible, implemented with the least possible delay.
The enforcement of the law in relation to the supply of alcoholic beverages to persons under 18 is a matter for the Minister for Justice. However, I have been concerned at the orientation of advertising of alcoholic beverages, through the media, towards young people and I have arranged with the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland for the inclusion of a special standard in the Code of Standards of the Advertising Industries, providing that advertisements of alcoholic beverages should not be specifically addressed to the young, nor should they be placed in any publications especially directed to young people. I have also arranged for a series of seminars, covering the abuse of alcohol and drugs, for post-primary teachers.
Has the Minister read a report in the Irish Medical Times of 24th November last in which a frightening figure was given? It says that 80 per cent of boys between the ages of 12 and 17 are taking alcohol and 75 per cent of girls in the same category? I hope the Minister will take steps to discourage the use of alcohol at this age anyway.
All those facts and figures are in the reports that are being prepared by the Irish National Council on Alcoholism. I intend to have a campaign next year to deal with that.
Would the Minister have a word with the Minister for Justice and ask that the law be enforced? The Minister must be aware that in the majority of hotels and in far too many public houses young people are being served. The law is being enforced in England; it is not being enforced here. Why? Would the Minister have a word with the Minister for Justice and see that it is enforced?
This is a matter for the Minister for Justice. I disagree with the Deputy with regard to the law being enforced in England. It is almost impossible to distinguish the ages of young people because of the way they dress and the way they look today. In my own personal view there is no way of keeping people who are under age out of public houses unless they have identity cards.
Why have the law there if it is not being enforced?
If the Deputy is suggesting that as in other member countries of the EEC everybody in this country should be able to prove who he or she is then we might be able to deal with this problem. In areas like Dublin it is almost impossible for the publicans to distinguish. Many of them do their best and do throw out people who are obviously under age. Others are less responsible.