No policy on alcohol abuse in home.

Fiona Ryan, head of Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), a lobby group campaigning against alcohol misuse, said while other countries have official figures on how many children are affected by alcohol abuse in the home, we do not. Using international research methods, the organisation estimates more than 100,000 children under 15 are affected here.

Ms Ryan said that in England and Scotland, it is estimated that one in 10 children are affected by a parent’s problem drinking.

“Why is there no Irish estimate for the number of children in Ireland living in families adversely affected by alcohol?” she said.

“The first step to making a difference for these children is to make sure they are recognised and visible to the politicians and policymakers — the people who create policy and develop services.”

Ms Ryan said considering we drink 30% more than our EU counterparts, it was astonishing we have not yet woken up to the realisation of how harmful alcohol abuse in the home can be, or to tackle it head-on.

AAI is conducting pioneering research for an EU study on children affected by parental alcohol problems.

A report from each participating country, due out at the end of the year, is set to be analysed by social researchers in Britain, who will then identify emerging issues, best practice, gaps and barriers, as well as ways forward

Cliona Murphy, former social worker and policy development officer with AAI said children of problem drinking parents are at increased risk of suffering from a range of psychological and behavioural difficulties including conduct disorders, depression, withdrawal and social isolation, self-blame, low self-esteem and anxiety-related disorders.

Ms Murphy said at the most extreme end of the spectrum of harm, children living with problem drinking parents can be abused or neglected in their homes. “Parents may not realise that it is time for their child to eat or time to get up for school,” she said.

“They may not be aware that their child needed to go to bed hours ago or that their nappy needed changing. Exposure to domestic violence can be considered as emotional abuse and also places children at increased risk of physical abuse and injury.” 

Source, Irish Examiner, 09/02/2009