Since the establishment of the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) in 2005, €1.2m additional funding was allocated in 2006 and a further €1.85 million was allocated in 2007 for the implementation of ‘Reach Out' — the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014. This brings the total funding available for suicide initiatives in 2008 to €8 million. The NOSP has an annual budget of €4.5m. This funding is being used to develop and implement national training programmes, implement awareness campaigns, progress actions identified in an All-Island Action Plan for Suicide Prevention. Other suicide prevention initiatives, which include the funding for dedicated suicide resources officers, deliberate self-harm response nurses in A&E departments, funding to local voluntary groups etc, are delivered and funded directly by the HSE.
It should also be emphasised that a range of services such as mental health and primary care services are important in helping to prevent suicide. These services play a vital role in the drive to reduce the incidence of suicide, and should be taken into account when considering the level of expenditure devoted to suicide prevention.