Survey reveals Irish fork out €2,000 a year on alcohol

IRISH people are spending on average almost €2,000 a year on alcohol with Dublin and Louth the counties with highest weekly intake, new figures show.

The research, issued by Aviva Health Insurance to mark Alcohol Awareness Month, showed men spend significantly more than women, at €2,395 and €1,607 respectively. It also revealed that people are drinking excessively, with men consuming an average of 15 alcohol units per week and women consuming an average of nine.

Experts have expressed concerns at the figures, particularly as similar research published earlier this year showed women were smoking almost double the number of cigarettes as men.