Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
605. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to set up a national cross party suicide prevention authority which would be properly staffed and properly resourced to try to reduce the ever increasing number of suicides here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49595/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to set up another suicide prevention authority. This function is currently being carried out by the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) which was established in 2005 on foot of a recommendation in Reach Out our National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention. The role of the National Office is to oversee the implementation of Reach Out and to coordinate suicide prevention initiatives around the country. Its work is centred around evidence based interventions. The NOSP is advised and guided by an implementation group comprising individuals with considerable knowledge and expertise in the areas of suicide prevention, mental health promotion and bereavement support.
In 2011, the total funding available nationally through the HSE for suicide prevention was about €9 million of which €4.1 million is administered by NOSP and is used to fund voluntary and statutory agencies delivering services in the area of prevention, intervention, postvention and research. The remaining €5 million is available regionally to fund Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention, Self-Harm Liaison Nurses in Hospital Emergency Departments and local suicide prevention initiatives. In 2012, an additional €3 million (part of the special allocation of €35m for mental health) has been made available to NOSP to introduce further suicide prevention initiatives.
It is widely accepted that suicide is a complex issue and that there are no easy or single interventions that will bring a guarantee of success. International evidence shows that suicide prevention requires a collective, concerted effort from all groups in society. Solutions, therefore, involve the whole community, a large array of voluntary organisations, specialist mental health professionals and mental healthcare provided by general practitioners and others in primary care. The overall expenditure in time and resources in this area is significant and is under constant review. I believe that a commitment to evidence based programmes and partnerships with a common purpose is what is required to address the issue of suicide and this role is being carried out at present by the existing National Office.
