The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is undertaking a study to estimate the risk of alcohol-related mortality and hospital admission in Ireland associated with different levels of alcohol consumption. The findings will support an update of Ireland’s low-risk alcohol guidelines, which were revised in 2015 to less than 11 standard drinks for women and less than 17 standard drinks for men per week.

Michelle O’Neill, Deputy Director of Health Technology Assessment, said: “Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for mortality and disability worldwide. Many adults in Ireland consume alcohol. In order to make informed decisions, they should have access to accurate information about the risks.

“We are conducting this work to inform an update of the national low-risk alcohol guidelines by the Department of Health. These guidelines provide information on the risks associated with alcohol consumption, in addition to providing guidance on drinking levels associated with lower risk, and on situations when drinking is not safe.” 

In light of new evidence that has emerged nationally and internationally over the past decade, the Department of Health is planning to update Ireland’s guidelines. To support this update, HIQA will estimate the risks of mortality and hospital admission associated with different levels and patterns of alcohol consumption. Defined risk thresholds will inform what constitutes lower-risk drinking. The approach used will be similar to those that have been taken in Australia, Canada, and the UK in their most recent updates to their low-risk alcohol guidelines.

The protocol, which sets out the scope of the upcoming study and the approach HIQA will use to estimate the risk of harm, based on how much and how often alcohol is consumed, is available here. The full report is expected to be published in 2026.

Further information: 

Caoimhe O’Connell
Communications Manager 
087 639 5916
caoconnell@hiqa.ie 

Notes to the Editor: 

• HIQA has today published the following document:
  • Protocol for modelling the risk of alcohol-attributable mortality and hospital admission in Ireland.
• This study will estimate the risk of alcohol-related mortality and hospital admission at different levels and patterns of alcohol consumption. The analysis will apply defined risk thresholds to help inform what constitutes lower-risk drinking in the Irish context.
• The protocol outlines the scope and methodological approach, which draws on recent modelling frameworks used in Canada, Australia, and the UK.
• An Expert Advisory Group has been convened to guide the project. It includes representatives from the Department of Health, patient advocates, and experts in alcohol epidemiology, public health, addiction, primary care, and
• .Similar reviews have informed updates to low-risk drinking guidelines in other countries:
  • Canada (2023)
  • Australia (2020)
  • France (2017)
  • United Kingdom (2016)
• The final report is expected in 2026. The findings will inform an update of Ireland’s low-risk alcohol guidelines by the Department of Health.