asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the alarming increase in alcoholism in the last few years; and if he intends to introduce any special measures to tackle this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcoholism Increase.
10.
The latest information available from the Medico-Social Research Board shows that between 1968 and 1978 the number of first admissions to psychiatric hospitals for alcoholism rose from 1,081 to 2,538, an increase of 134.8 per cent and total admissions rose from 2,526 to 7,293, an increase of 188.7 per cent.
As well as funding hospital services for alcoholics through health boards and voluntary hospitals, my Department also support the development of counselling services. Health education on alcohol is given priority by the Health Education Bureau, and a new campaign will be launched towards the end of the year. Local campaigns are also being run by two health boards.
I am at present developing proposals for the formulation of a closely co-ordinated national policy on alcohol use and abuse.
Bearing in mind the emphasis the Minister is placing on the importance of the campaign, perhaps the Minister will indicate whether he is in a position to sanction the applications for capital moneys made by a number of centres for the treatment of alcoholism which he did not sanction this year?
I will be glad to do so within the resources available to me.
That is not holding out much hope.
It is a matter for the Estimate and the budget.
They would be better trading their empty bottles than looking for money from the Minister.