Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
80 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a report that suggests that one third of deaths in the 15 to 24 age bracket is caused by suicide north and south of the Border; the steps her Department is taking to deal with this serious health problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26353/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the publication of the evidence-based report, Youth Suicide Prevention, which was researched by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, the programme of action for children and the health development agency. The information contained in this report will provide invaluable material for all those working in the area of suicide prevention and mental health promotion. It will also inform the work that is now underway on the preparation of a strategic action plan for suicide reduction. This strategy, involving the health boards executive, HeBE, 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 strategy.
My Department has given special attention over the past number of years to the resourcing of suicide prevention initiatives. Since the publication of the task force report in 1998, a cumulative total of more than €17.5 million has been provided since towards suicide prevention programmes and for research. This year more than €4.5 million is available to the various agencies working towards reducing the level of suicide and attempted suicide in this country. This includes the health boards, the national suicide review group, the Irish Association of Suicidology and the National Suicide Research Foundation.
The task force report recommended that steps be taken to make the mental health services more accessible to the public, particularly to young people. In this regard, additional funding has been made available in recent years to further develop consultant-led child and adolescent psychiatry services to assist in the early identification of suicidal behaviour and to provide the necessary support and treatment to individuals at risk. Significant additional funding has also been provided for many voluntary organisations who deal with people suffering from depression, mental illness and bereavement who are at risk of suicide and attempted suicide.
I share the public concern about the level of suicides in this country and I am fully committed to the intensification of suicide prevention measures and research programmes.
