2049. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the provision of training for all professionals in contact with children, including mental health professionals, to raise awareness of the issues of parental problem alcohol use. [76708/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The HSE in partnership with Tusla have developed training in this area. The 'Hidden Harm - Impact of Parental Alcohol and Other Drug Use' training programme is for staff who work with parents, children, young people, or families who may be affected by problem alcohol and drug use. The training is open to staff in the HSE, Tusla, community and voluntary sectors.

The training aims to help staff become more aware of and respond to Hidden Harm (experiences of children who live with and are affected by parental problem alcohol and drug use). It aims to encourage services and stakeholders to work together to support families.

The training includes guidance from parents and professionals from voluntary and community sectors, the HSE and Tusla. It is based on the HSE and TUSLA Hidden Harm Practice Guide (2019). Topics include:

- impact of Hidden Harm

- the parents' voice

- working together

- Hidden Harm in practice

The training equips professionals to recognise the impact of Hidden Harm on children and young people, to provide support to parents to limit the impact of problem alcohol and other drug use on children or young people, and to work in partnership with parents and other services to meet the needs of the child or young person. Details on the training are available via https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/training-and-development/national-social-inclusion-office-training-programmes/hidden-harm-impact-of-parental-alcohol-and-other-drug-use-training/

I am committed to reducing the harms of alcohol use, as set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2026-2030.