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Alcohol harm costs Irish economy staggering €14bn a year amid calls for drastic action
The cost of alcohol on an economy can be estimated as equivalent to 1.5 to 2.6 per cent of GDP
BOOZE costs the Irish economy €14billion a year, advocacy group Alcohol Action Ireland have claimed.
The body that aims to reduce alcohol harm has used an international study to estimate how much alcohol costs the Irish economy across health, crime and employment.
This study estimates that the cost of alcohol on an economy can be estimated as equivalent to 1.5 to 2.6 per cent of GDP – which would be around €14billion for Ireland.
Alcohol Action Ireland released a new report that aims to highlight the impact of alcohol on workplace absenteeism and worker productivity.
The report references a series of studies – some of which are more than a decade old – alongside international studies to examine the impact of booze on the workplace.
CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland Dr Shelia Gilheaney claims that the lack of productivity caused by booze is hitting the Irish economy for €8.5billion.
The group are using the 2021 international report to arrive at this figure as the study claims the cost of alcohol to an economy is broken down in 38.8 per cent direct costs (crime, health) and 61 per cent indirect costs such as workplace productivity, absenteeism and premature deaths.
Dr Gilheaney said: 'Alcohol harm is estimated to cost the Irish exchequer about 2.5 per cent of GDP every year – that's €14 billion for 2024 – in health, justice and lost productivity.
'Of this, the lion's share – 61 per cent or about €8.5billion – is due to lost productivity.
'Given alcohol's huge drain on the Irish economy, much more could be done by government to address these issues.'
Alcohol Action Ireland are urging the government to consider increasing excise duty on alcohol and bring in regulations for appropriate testing for alcohol to make workplaces safe.
Dr Gilheaney said: 'It is clear that improved data collection and monitoring is necessary in relation to alcohol and the workplace, and alcohol's involvement in workplace accidents.
I drank 7 bottles of vodka & 30 glasses of wine a week- I smashed teeth & was fired for being drunk, the booze broke me
'To this end, the government needs to introduce the relevant regulations regarding alcohol under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (2005), which ensures that, when necessary, there is appropriate testing for alcohol to ensure both safety and employee welfare, while also aiding organisational efficiency and productivity.
'Furthermore, it is important that the key stakeholders – government, employers' representatives, and the trade union movement – work together to ensure the adoption of the progressive approaches in dealing with alcohol the workplace in a manner which supports the employee and helps the workplace.
'The most cost effective way to reduce the burden of alcohol on the economy is for government to adopt policies that help reduce population-wide alcohol consumption, using the World Health Organisation's 'Best Buys' – controls on pricing, marketing and availability.
'This can be achieved by increases in excise duties on alcohol products, by fully implementing and enforcing the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, and by regulating the outlet density and opening hours of pubs and off-licences.
'If these simple measures were implemented there would no doubt be comparable improvements for workers, for employers, for society, and for the economy.'
