Dan Neville
Question:190 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the nomination of a resource officer with responsibilities in the broad field of suicide in each of the health board areas. [13766/99]
Written Answers. - Resource Officers.
All health boards have now appointed resource officers. The Eastern Health Board appointed a resource officer in April 1999 on a full-time basis for an initial three year period. The person appointed has a background in occupational therapy. The Midland Health Board appointed a psychiatric nursing officer as resource officer with effect from 9 February 1999. The Mid-Western Health Board has appointed two part-time resource officers. The persons appointed have a background in research and public health and were appointed in August 1998. The North-Eastern Health Board has had a nursing officer as an acting resource officer since last year. The board hopes to fill the post on a permanent basis in the near future. The North-Western Health Board appointed two resource officers in November 1998. The positions are part-time and both persons are senior psychiatric nurses. The South-Eastern Health Board has appointed a resource officer who will officially take up the position on 31 May 1999. The person appointed is a psychiatric nursing officer. The Southern Health Board has appointed a chief nursing officer as resource officer. The appointment has been made on a part-time basis as a number of other persons are also engaged by the board in suicide and suicide prevention activities. The Western Health Board has appointed a nursing officer to the position of resource officer on a full-time basis. The position was filled in 1998.