Vol. 499 No. 1
589 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the health boards who have appointed a suicide resource officer to date; the position of each of the boards who have not yet done so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1824/99]
To date, five health boards – the Midland Health Board, the Mid-Western Health Board, the North-Eastern Health Board, the North-Western Health Board and the Western Health Board – have appointed a suicide resource officer while the remaining health board is in the process of appointing officers. The Eastern Health Board has advertised the post, an interview board has been set up and interviews will commence in mid-February. The South-Eastern Health Board has recently given approval for the appointment of a resource officer, has prepared the necessary documentation to advertise the post and will expedite the matter. The Southern Health Board has put together a proposal for the appointment of a resource officer, and hope to have formal approval from the chief executive officer of the health board to advertise the post at the end of January.
