Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2004
153 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the contacts she has had with the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety or with the British Minister for Health since 30 September 2004 relating to all-Ireland co-operation on suicide prevention. [29652/04]
View answerSince taking up office in late September, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has not yet had the opportunity to meet either the Northern Ireland or the British Ministers for Health.
However, in the area of suicide prevention, I am informed that the position in Northern Ireland and Britain has been taken into account in the formulation of the strategic action plan for suicide reduction which is currently being prepared. The strategic action plan, which involves the health boards executive, HeBe, in partnership with the national suicide review group and supported by the Department of Health and Children, will be based on extensive national and international consultation and evidence based research. It will build on existing policy and on the recommendations in the report of the national task force on suicide 1998. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategy which will be completed in 2005.
154 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the total cost associated with the national task force on suicide; the breakdown of the cost; its priorities for action for the coming 12 months; and the good practices which have been identified through its work. [29653/04]
View answerSince the publication of the report of the national task force on suicide in 1998, my Department has given special attention to resourcing suicide prevention initiatives. A cumulative total of more than €17.5 million has now been provided towards suicide prevention programmes and for research. This funding supports the work of the various agencies involved in this area including the health boards, the National Suicide Review Group, The Irish Association of Suicidology and the National Suicide Research Foundation for its work in the development of a national parasuicide register. The annual report of the national suicide review group, NSRG, meets the requirement of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001, that the Minister for Health and Children will report annually on the measures taken by health boards to prevent suicides in the previous year. This report outlines the measures taken by the health boards and other agencies to help prevent suicide and reduce the impact of suicidal behaviour. The aim of the report is to facilitate sharing of information across the health boards and other sectors regarding suicide prevention projects and to provide accurate and current information on the patterns of death by suicide in Ireland.
As the Deputy may be aware, work is now well under way on the preparation of a strategic action plan for suicide reduction which involves the Health Boards Executive, HeBe, in partnership with the national suicide review group and supported by the Department of Health and Children. This strategy which will be based on extensive national and international consultation and evidence based research will build on existing policy and on the recommendations contained in the report of the national task force. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategy which will be completed in 2005.
