In this intervew, Dr. Liam Curran discusses the need for Ireland to adopt a professional, evidence-informed approach to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). He identifies four priority areas for action: prevention; screening and assessment; care and placement decisions; and the legal and ethical challenges viewed within Ireland’s cultural context.

Dr. Curran proposes a national multidisciplinary task force to bring together government agencies, child welfare, health, education, and academic experts to engage with the growing empirical evidence on prenatal alcohol exposure.

Such a collaborative approach would support the development of consistent policies, procedures, and protocols to guide social workers and allied health professionals in responding to FASD.

Central to this approach is ensuring that prevention efforts do not stigmatize birth mothers. There are many complex reasons why alcohol use may occur during pregnancy, and these require understanding, compassion, and professional support rather than blame.

Dr. Curran concludes that implementing the 5-Step Screening Protocol, underpinned by the 3 Ps – Policy, Procedures, and Protocols – provides a practical and professional starting point for addressing this complex public health and child welfare issue.

Near FM, 6th August 2026.