Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
594 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he has a strategy in place to tackle youth alcoholism; if his attention has been drawn to the mental health damage being done to children as a result of alcohol consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25065/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy World Survey, Ireland's first comprehensive national study of youth mental health was launched on 16th May by Headstrong — The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and UCD School of Psychology. It tracks evidence of the damaging link between drinking behaviour and mental health in young people.
Mental Health is a priority for the Government including the mental health of our young people. A special allocation of €35 million for mental health was announced in Budget 2012 in line with Programme for Government commitments. Funding from this special allocation for mental health will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services by ensuring, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is on every team. Some of the funding will also be used to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems.
The report of the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group made a range of recommendations that impact directly and indirectly on the problem of excessive youth alcohol consumption. At this juncture, the recommendations of the Steering Group are encouraging public debate and I envisage an Action Plan being developed in advance of proposals being drafted for Government that will take account of, among other things, the recommendations of the Steering Group that relate to this problem.
