Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 3

Written Answers. - Identity Card Schemes.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

106 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the locations where identity card schemes are in operation to assist with the problem of under age drinking; the extent to which this scheme has been a success; the proposals, if any, she has to extend the scheme to other locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 80 identity card schemes in operation throughout the country. They are located in the following Garda Divisions:

Division	Location
Carlow/Kildare	Athy, Maynooth,
	Celbridge
Cavan/Monaghan	Cavan
Clare	Ennis
Cork East	Cobh, Fermoy,
	Mallow, Youghal
Cork West	Bantry, Bandon,
	Clonakilty, Kinsale,
	Macroom,
	Skibbereen
Donegal	Ballybofey,
	Ballyshannon,
	Buncrana, Burnfoot,
	Carndonagh,
	Clonmany, Donegal,
	Killybegs, Malin,
	Moville, Muff,
	Letterkenny,
	Pettigo
Gaillimh Thiar	Galway, Gort,
	Oughterard, Salthill
Kerry	Tralee
Laois/Offaly	Edenderry
Longford/Westmeath	Athlone, Longford,
	Mullingar
Louth/Meath	Ashbourne,
	Drogheda,
	Dundalk, Navan,
	Kells
Mayo	Ballina, Ballyhaunis,
	Belmullet, Castlebar,
	Claremorris, Foxford,
	Kiltimagh, Swinford
Roscommon/Galway	Ballinasloe,
East	Roscommon, Tuam
Sligo/Leitrim	Sligo
Tipperary	Cashel, Clonmel,
	Carrick-on-Suir,
	Nenagh,
	Templemore,
	Tipperary, Thurles
	(2)
Waterford/Kilkenny	Thomastown
Wexford	Arklow, Courtown,
	Enniscorthy, Gorey,
	New Ross, Wexford.
Dublin Metropolitan	Baldoyle, Howth,
Area	Bray, Crumlin,
	Greystones, Finglas,
	Leixlip, Malahide,
	Swords, Shankill,
	Santry/Ballymun/
	Whitehall

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, overall, these schemes are considered to be reasonably successful and beneficial and that they have assisted in reducing the levels of the use of alcohol by persons under the age of 18 years. I am also informed that plans are underway to establish new schemes in other centres.

However, identity card schemes on their own will not solve the problem of underage drinking, and as I indicated in my reply to a question on 10 November, 1993 (Dáil Debates Volume 435, Cols. 1344-1345), the economic, social, educational, cultural and health factors also need to be considered. In this regard, the Minister for Health in response to Question No. 183 of 1 March, 1994 outlined the initiatives being undertaken by the Health Promotion Unit of his Department to combat the problems of alcohol abuse.