Irish children are most likely to have at least three friends of the same gender when compared with children in other countries around the world. They also report high levels of physical activity and overall happiness, according to a new report on the state of the nation's children.
However, elsewhere the report reveals that more than 17,500 children aged between seven and 17 were referred to An Garda Síochána's juvenile diversion programme for young offenders in 2005. One in five of all referrals was for alcohol-related offences. This is the single highest cause of a referral, followed by theft and criminal damage.
Just over 6 per cent of referrals were for drug possession, with 5 per cent for non-headline assault and some 8 per cent for traffic offences and public order offences. Some 70 per cent of all referrals were for children in the 15-17 age group.
About 21 per cent of referrals to the programme - which aims to divert young offenders away from crime and the criminal justice system - were female.
Irish 15-year-olds were also found to have the third-highest level of binge drinking and illicit drug use in a European schools survey conducted in 2003, with 40 per cent reporting that they had used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime, the report states.
In 2003, 57 per cent of 15-year-olds were reported to have had five or more alcoholic drinks in a row in the past 30 days. The percentage of girls reporting this increased from 42 per cent in 1995 to 57 per cent in 2003.
Irish girls also ranked highest for drug use among all 36 countries surveyed internationally.
Similarly, almost one in 10 15-year-olds was reported to have used an illicit drug other than marijuana in their lifetime.
Almost 7 per cent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 said they smoked daily in 2002. This is below the international average and 24th out of 35 countries surveyed. Some 13 per cent of children aged 10 to 17 reported smoking every week, with higher rates among older children and those from lower social classes.
Elsewhere, the State of the Nation's Children report reveals that more than 1,700 children were known to be on hospital waiting lists for treatment in April of last year. More than one in four were waiting a year or more for treatment.
Hospitals in the Dublin area accounted for approximately three-quarters of children waiting for treatment, with the largest number waiting more than 12 months (246) located in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. This was followed by the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street (96) and Cork University Hospital (56).
The report, compiled by the Department of Health and Children and launched by the Minister, Brian Lenihan, in Dublin yesterday, examines 48 aspects of children's lives. Much of the data comes from previously published studies.
It shows that 18 deaths by suicide accounted for 22 per cent of all deaths in the 10-17 age group in 2004, with more boys than girls affected. Some 495 children were classified as homeless in 2004, with almost half of these in the former eastern health area authority.
Opposition accused of 'twisting figures' on drugs: page 8
Editorial comment: page 17