1697. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have availed of gambling addiction services in the health service in 2021, 2022 and to do date in 2023. [17828/23]

The Health Service Executive have been requested to reply directly to your above Parliamentary Question, which you submitted to the Minister for Health for response. I have examined the matter and the following outlines the position:  

An analysis of the data provided in treatment services within the National Drugs Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) (see information about the NDTRS) that includes all cases treated for problem gambling either as a main or additional problem from 2021 to 2023. The cases included may have other drugs, alcohol, or other problems (such as gaming) as a main problem or additional problem. 

The figures reflect assessments and entries into treatment (new cases and previously treated cases returning to treatment) and do not include the number of cases continuing in treatment from preceding years.  It does not include those who were assessed only or who received supports such as key working only.

For the Deputy’s information, reporting treatment for gambling to the NDTRS is optional. This option is facilitated by the NDTRS for individual services who wish to use the data for their own purposes.  Therefore, these data cannot be considered complete or representative of treatment for gambling in a national context.

2021 figures

269 cases were treated for gambling as a main or an additional problem in 2021 (Table 1). Of these 159 cases were treated for gambling as a main problem (Table 2).  

2022 figures

As of 17/04/2023, 346 cases were treated for gambling in 2022 (Table 1).  Of these 198 cases were treated for gambling as a main problem (Table 2).  Please note that these figures are provisional as data validation for 2022 is ongoing.   

2023 figures

As of 17/04/2023, there were 99 cases treated for gambling in 2023 to date (Table 1). Of these 48 cases were treated for gambling as a main problem (Table 2).  Please note that these figures are provisional as data collection for 2023 is ongoing.

[Full response including Tables can be seen in the PDF above]