Departmental Policies

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Questions (192)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

192. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is not deemed by her Department or agencies under her aegis to be a disability at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14316/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Responsibility for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) resides with Department of Health’s (DOH) Health and Wellbeing unit. FASD is not deemed to be a disability at this time, and as a result, the services needed to address issues around FASD are primarily found within the remit of DOH. The DOH currently have the remit over the Expert Advisory Group on FASD directly relevant to the question posed by the Deputy, therefore this is a matter for the office of the Minister for Health.