asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the need for proper treatment units for alcoholism; and if he will indicate to the health boards that he will make finance available, as a matter of urgency, for the early establishment of such units.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Alcoholism.
2.
At present all health boards make available an alcoholism service as part of their programme of psychiatric care but I am aware of the need to effect improvements related to needs. As the Deputy is aware the financial resources now available for major new developments are limited. But within the constraints of available finances and competing demands in respect of other areas of the health services, I am receptive to proposals to improve the alcoholism services and anxious to do whatever is possible to improve these services further.
In effect, does that answer by the Parliamentary Secretary mean that nothing is being done, that no improvement is being made in the situation? Is that, in effect, what the answer amounts to?
More money was made available this year for instruction, education and guidance. Last year it was £20,000 and this year it is £25,000.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not acknowledge that an increase of £5,000 would barely keep in line with inflation, and that increasing the figure from £20,000 to £25,000 would hardly ensure that the existing services can be maintained? Can he not hold out any hope that there will be some improvement in this situation and that some increase in facilities will be provided during this year? Is there any long-term plan or any comprehensive proposal even in contemplation in the Department in regard to this very serious problem of alcoholism to which so much lip service is paid?
I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the different voluntary organisations who are doing so much good in this field. I want to assure the Deputy that they have been in touch with the Minister for Health, the Department, and myself, and everything possible is being done within the limits of available resources.
In other words, nothing.
3.
asked the Minister for Health the approximate amount spent each year by his Department on the prevention and cure of alcoholism.
My Department are involved in encouraging prevention of alcoholism and excessive drinking primarily through advertising and the publication and dissemination of educational literature. A total of approximately £21,000 was spent on these activities during 1974. In addition, the Irish National Council on Alcoholism receives assistance from the health boards towards the costs of its publicity and advisory services. The total amount approved for this year is £25,000.
Treatment services for alcoholism are provided through the health board psychiatric services, at private psychiatric hospitals, by general practitioners and in some wards of general hospitals. It is not possible to segregate the specific costs of these treatment services.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the very paltry sums mentioned by him are not only inadequate but are not in any way helpful in relation to the terrific drive needed to curb this disease? What plans are there on hands to step up this money?
I agree that the amount of money provided is inadequate. It is my wish that the problem should be treated as an urgent one and more money provided
Would the Parliamentary Secretary give us any indication of the amount—to use the common phraseology in this connection—spent on drink annually?
That is surely a separate question.
Would it be in the region of £300 million?
That figure was published in all the papers recently.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think, in the context of somewhere in the region of £300 million being spent annually by this community on drink, a figure of £21,000 to combat the disease of alcoholism is even relevant?
I agree more should be done. I see the Deputy's point.