1298. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his plans to vindicate the rights of families and children living with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45310/24]

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is often an invisible disability and is associated with lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties, but it is preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.

This is one of the reasons why in May 2023, I signed into law the Public Health (Alcohol) (Labelling) Regulations 2023 and the remaining provisions of Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act. The law provides that the labels of alcohol products warn about the risk of consuming alcohol when pregnant.

The HSE offers a learning module called ‘Hidden Harm’ for all staff working with parents, children, young people or families who may be affected by problem alcohol and other drug use. This module outlines the impact of alcohol and drug use in pregnancy on babies.

In addition, the HSE’s Making Every Contact Count (MECC) in Maternity Training Programme provides health service management and staff with a training programme that enables those who complete it to be equipped to deliver brief interventions with women. The training programme covers the main lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease namely tobacco, alcohol and drug use, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating.