ABSTRACT
Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) and work-life programmes have developed and evolved in separate directions in Ireland. The first Occupational Alcoholism Programme (OAP) in Ireland was developed in 1973 by The Electricity Supply Board (ESB), Ireland’s National Power Company. This was an internal programme serviced by a new grade of professional Staff Services Officers. The second stage of EAP development was by US multinationals who influenced their Irish divisions in establishing internal EAPs provided by Occupational Health Nurses. The third stage was the development of internal EAPs in all government departments provided by welfare and employee assistance officers.
