Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
326 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for a major programme to promote suicide prevention; her views on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2068/05]
View answerSince the publication of the report of the national task force on suicide in 1998, there has been a positive and committed response from both the statutory and voluntary sectors towards finding ways of tackling the tragic problem of suicide. I am fully committed to the intensification of suicide prevention measures and, in this regard, work is now well underway on the preparation of a strategic action plan for suicide reduction. This strategic action plan involving the project management unit, Health Service Executive, in partnership with the national suicide review group and supported by the Department of Health and Children will build on existing policy and on the recommendations contained in the report of the national task force on suicide. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategic action plan which will be published later this year.
