Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children Report
 
Tuesday, 24th January 2012
 
A ban on all retail advertising relating to the discounting of alcoholic products, a ban on the advertisement of alcoholic products on television before 9pm and a ban on the advertisement of alcohol products on social networking websites should be explored by the Government to help deal with the misuse of alcohol and drugs in Ireland, according to a new report by the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.
 
The report, The misuse of alcohol and other drugs, which was published today also recommends that the Government end VAT refunds on below-cost sales of alcohol and that the Government prohibit the practice of retail deliveries of alcoholic products directly to consumers’ homes.
 
The majority of the members of the Committee support the introduction of minimum pricing in respect of alcoholic drinks in a forthcoming public health bill. However, there was a divergence of views within the committee on this matter with a minority supporting, as an alternative, an increase in either or both alcohol expenditure taxes (with the additional revenue generated being ring-fenced for preventative education and the provision of alcohol addiction services).
 
Other key recommendations are:

• That the Government consider how a programme of new, preventative, educational initiatives, aimed at the public in general, could be devised and implemented. The aim of this programme would be to highlight the implications and dangers of alcohol and drug misuse, and to influence the prevailing cultural attitudes, particularly in relation to the use of alcohol. 
•  That the Committee are extremely concerned about the proliferation of outlets which sell alcoholic products and the presentation of such products therein. The Committee recommends that legislation be introduced which would ban the presentation and sale of alcoholic products alongside groceries, confectionary and fuel. 
    
• Consider should also be given to outright ban on the sale of alcohol in certain outlets in the longer term.
• That legislation be introduced criminalising the importation of cannabis seeds.
   
• That the Misuse of Drugs legislation be amended to include stricter controls on the importation and prescribing of benzodiazepines. 
   
• That there be renewed emphasis on the implementation by the HSE of the four tier model as recommended by the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee (NDRIC), as well as on the aims and objectives of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016.
   
• That funding under the medical card should cover rehabilitation treatment for alcohol addiction.
   
• That youth work and peer support be considered by policymakers as an integral part of any strategy aiming to divert children away from substance misuse.  

Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “The over-arching aim of this report is to highlight the prevalence of alcohol and other drugs in society and to emphasise the misuse of alcohol in particular, this being the most commonly used drug – what some have called the ‘national drug.’
 
The report hopes to bring about a change in attitudes towards the misuse of alcohol by illustrating the huge personal and economic costs caused by hazardous drinking.
 
It is the Committee’s belief that there is no single measure which will solve the problem of alcohol misuse. Rather, a package of measures is needed to change our attitudes towards, and behaviour regarding, the consumption of alcohol.
 
The Committee is aware that alcohol consumption per capita is an indicator for alcohol-related harm in any country. Noting the lower levels of total alcohol consumption per capita in 1960’s Ireland, the Committee wishes to see the implementation of measures which will bring about a significant reduction in the overall consumption of alcohol per capita in the coming years.”
 
The full report can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
 
http://bit.ly/yUYn5p
 
Access a clip of the Chairman introducing the report:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKx2w118V3Y&feature=youtu.be

Posted under Health, National Work

Chief executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Dr Tracey Cooper, will attend the meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on Thursday, 19th January at 11.30am in Committee Room 2, Leinster House.
 
Chairman of the Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer TD, said: “HIQA is attending the Health committee for the first time of this present Oireachtas. I am looking forward to listening to the presentation and engaging with the authority on its role, remit and work. It is important that we as a Health committee engage with HIQA as it plays a very important role as an independent authority reporting to the Minister in the Health system.
 
HIQA has a critical role to play in the health sector, ensuring the safe and effective delivery of health services. The meeting will facilitate dialogue which is essential to securing an understanding of the role of all bodies involved in the health system as the Government embarks on delivering a reformed health service.”

Posted under Health, National Work

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer has welcomed the Taoiseach’s decision to put on hold proposed changes to Disability Allowance for young people.
 
Deputy Buttimer said “The proposed Budget changes to the Disability Allowance for younger people have caused a lot of deep concern over the last few days; I welcome the government’s decision to listen to these concerns and to put the proposed changes on hold.
 
“I was one of a group of Fine Gael TDs who raised the issue early yesterday; this led to a meeting with the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, yesterday evening, where TDs voiced their concerns. It was clear that there was wide-spread concern that this measure would hit some of the most vulnerable members of society. I also raised this issue directly with other members of the Government who listened carefully to my concerns, I am relieved that the Government has listened and responded positively to people who highlighted this very sensitive issue.
 
“It is important to state that it was never proposed to change payments to people who are already in receipt of Disability Allowance. However, the prospect of significantly reducing the allowance paid to new claimants is a matter of major concern to me and to others. Young people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable members of our society; they must be protected and supported.
 
“In the Dáil an Taoiseach confirmed that the proposed changes are being put on hold. The situation will now be reviewed by Ita Mangan, chairperson of the Tax and Social Welfare Commission.  This decision shows that the government is listening to the concerns of people and that it is treating this issue with the careful consideration it deserves. I feel hugely passionate about this issue and I will continue to work to ensure that government decisions continue to be as fair as possible to society’s most disadvantaged members.”

Posted under Health, National Work, Social Protection