Irish teenagers have the second-highest level of drunkenness among nine countries surveyed, according to new figures. The data, contained in the State of the Nation’s Children report, shows that 29 per cent of Irish 15-year-olds say they have been drunk at least once in the last month, according to a report in the Irish Times.

Last month the report, compiled by the office of the Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, incorrectly indicated that drunkenness rates among Irish children were below the international average.

The report suggested that Ireland had the second-lowest level of teen drunkenness among the countries surveyed. But the report now ranks Ireland second highest.

When data provided by 15-year-olds was analysed to draw international comparisons, the percentage of Irish children reporting intoxication at least once in the last 30 days – 29 per cent – compared unfavourably to the international average of 21.7 per cent.

Nine countries were surveyed and only Austria presented higher levels of teen intoxication than Ireland, with 30.6 per cent. Poland had the lowest level with 15.7 per cent. The data relates to 2006.

Dr Bobby Smyth, of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin, said: “The sad reality confirmed in the corrected data is that Irish 15 year olds demonstrate rates of drunkenness which are well above the international average, with 29 per cent reporting being drunk in the past month. This is the second highest rate found in the countries surveyed. It is important that we avoid any complacency around the issue of drunkenness among young teenagers.”

Dr Smyth said there was growing international evidence that alcohol was a “gateway drug” in countries with “binge drinking cultures”, such as Ireland.