Dr Kate Carr-Fanning: I thank the Chair and members for the invitation to appear today. We welcome the attention being given by the committee to this important issue of mental health and ADHD. Who are ADHD Ireland? We are a national representative organisation for those with this condition. Our mission is simply to make life better for all those affected by ADHD. This year, we will deliver more than 400 activities to support our community. We will receive more than 6,000 contacts from members of the public. Our website will have more than 250,000 visits, all delivered by ten exceptionally motivated and passionate staff, consisting of six whole-time employees and our board and volunteers. As a section 39 organisation, we receive more than 80% of our funding through the HSE.

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental condition which means the brain has developed differently. Currently, more boys than girls are diagnosed, with prevalence somewhere between 2% and 7%, decreasing with increasing age. In Ireland, there is no guidance for clinicians working with those with ADHD on what good ADHD assessment or intervention looks like…….

An Cathaoirleach: On the connection between ADHD and addictions, do the witnesses find there is a strong connection between ADHD and alcohol harm, gambling or whatever?

Mr. Ken Kilbride: People with ADHD will overindex for substance misuse. The vast majority of people with ADHD are undiagnosed. However, they will see they are different from their peers, having more challenges in life around, as Dr. Morris was saying, leaving jobs, having more jobs, marital difficulties and conditions like that. They know there is something happening in their lives so they start self-medicating, primarily around alcohol and cannabis.

[For the full debate, click this link to the Oireachtas website]