Research published last week shows how 12,000 adults in the country have been recorded as problem gamblers, with tens of thousands more recorded as being at risk from problem gambling.

Pete and Sadie Keogh from Fermanagh, whose son Lewis died due to gambling-related suicide, are determined to roll out an education programme on both sides of the Border.

The couple have spent years campaigning for changes to legislation so no parent has to face the same heartache they did.

In 2021 they helped to spearhead a pilot education programme in schools in Northern Ireland with the charity Gambling with Lives, which was founded by families bereaved by gambling addiction.

Now the charity is one step closer to introducing all-island initiatives for its life-saving campaign.

Fine Gael Senator Emer Currie invited the Keoghs and Gambling with Lives to the Oireachtas to meet TDs and senators to discuss the issue.

“The goal being to secure a place for a gambling awareness campaign in secondary schools, similar to their successful pilot in Northern Ireland,” Ms Currie said.

Discussions with bodies such as Foróige — a youth organisation with a presence in more than 600 communities in Ireland — are ongoing. Representatives attended Leinster House last week.

“Having worked closely with Foróige here in places like Tyrrelstown and Blanchardstown in Dublin, I know first-hand the work they do. I think they are a perfect fit for Gambling with Lives to engage young people on the impact of problem gambling,” she said.

​The senator said “preventative action on problem gambling” was needed throughout Ireland.

“I don’t think there’s a family in Ireland that doesn’t know the impact a gambling addiction can have and for some, like the Keoghs, it’s been their worst nightmare,” she said.

“As a mum when I hear the Keoghs ask themselves if anything could have been done to prepare their son for the way gambling can get under your skin and take hold, I believe we absolutely have to do something about it.

“Having met Pete and Sadie Keogh, I’m determined to find a way to get this programme into local communities, whether that’s through schools, youth clubs or sporting organisations like they are doing in the North. It’s a message that needs to get out.”

The ESRI’s behavioural research unit said problem gambling has likely been underestimated.

Mr Keogh was optimistic that rolling out the education programme “could be done quite quickly”.

“It would be something I would like to see happening that the 32 counties have access to this programme that we think is very measured,” he said.

He said the schools’ programme, which is delivered by experts and aimed to influence the way gambling awareness education was delivered to young people, “could save lives”.

“I want this message across Ireland: it is equally important in Tipperary as it is in north Antrim. To me, it is a vital issue,” he said.