...Senator Frances Black: I highlight the report published by Alcohol Action Ireland last week. It is called Alcohol Treatment Services: A snapshot survey 2021. It explores some of the prevailing issues related to alcohol services in Ireland and it is shocking. It highlights the significant gap between services needed and those available, the additional difficulties placed on those seeking services and the added harm to children and family networks. I commend Alcohol Action Ireland for presenting a concise and poignant synopsis of the views sought from service providers who were interviewed over a period of time in 2020. It distils the commentary on a range of issues, including mental health and trauma, reducing the impact on children and families, gaps in services and barriers to treatment. I strongly encourage those who have not read it to do so. 

Alcohol Action Ireland encourages a national discussion around a variety of recommendations that I want to highlight today. The issue of dual diagnosis arose in the report findings. It stated the mental health of clients seeking treatment was a significant and serious concern for those surveyed. Many client users often experienced problems getting adequate treatment for both issues. The report recommends that, in order to correct this, an investment must be made to ensure services have the capacity to adequately address alcohol dependency and unmet mental health needs. 

The issue of trauma as a result of adverse childhood experiences was explored. It was recognised by many service providers within its client population. The report states that to correct this pervasive problem with trauma, which is so widespread in our country, we need to work to develop a trauma-informed national strategy regarding delivery of the best possible treatment to people accessing alcohol treatment services, including aspects such as models of care and integrated mental health. 

Another finding is that children are often forgotten in the programmes of those seeking treatment. Some 50% of those in treatment are fathers or mothers with children having to share the journey to recovery. I am passionate about this area, as the Leader well knows, through my work with the RISE Foundation. The report states providers believe children require a specific response if the intergenerational cycle of dependency and trauma is to be broken. This is so important. 

I would like to call for a debate on this issue, if possible. It is an important issue and I also recommend that members read the report and see the impact it has. I would really appreciate if we could have a debate on this issue. 

… Senator Regina Doherty: Senator Black talked about the new report released by Alcohol Action Ireland. I will try to schedule a debate on the wider responses of the recommendations of that report as early as I can. Senator Boylan talked about a national autism empowerment strategy. While I believe everyone in this House and the other House would agree with her, I do not have a response. However, I will try to come back to her as quickly as I can.