James Breen (Clare, Independent)

Each day it is estimated that in excess of 2,000 people commit suicide around the world. The available figures greatly underestimate the true suicide rate. In the field of mental health, the discrepancy between what we suspect and what we can prove to be true is nowhere greater than in the case of suicidal behaviour.

I call on the Government, and on the Minister for Education and Science in particular, to undertake a review of our educational priorities and ensure appropriate account is taken of the needs of our young people as part of a balanced education. There have been knee-jerk reactions to the problems of drug abuse, crime prevention and anti-social behaviour faced by our young people. They have come too late from a Government that only reacts because the problems are costing us money and upsetting the middle class voters and business people who have a vested interest in making our society appear safe so they can earn their money in comfort. It is time to examine the real issues affecting Irish life, to instigate adequate educational programmes and to equip young people with the tools they need to deal with the issues they will face during their lives.

It is time to end the stigmatisation of mental health issues. This can be done by introducing mental health to the school curriculum at an early stage. Our young people can learn that it is acceptable to seek help for problems and that mental health issues can be dealt with in society in a way similar to physical health. It is time we promoted a positive attitude to mental health, encouraging the young to seek help in times of crisis. The Government should plough some of the money we have gained from our economic success into our communities and education system to fund life skills education for young people and to provide adequate care resources for those seeking help.

We should examine the prevalence of suicide in rural areas and the possible implications of rural isolation. It is vital that the Government does not abandon rural areas. Services must be available to everyone and not concentrated in areas of high population density. Resources must be available to examine the effects of unemployment, social exclusion, lack of educational opportunities and rural isolation as factors in the increased numbers of people attempting to or taking their own lives. Following such research, a commitment must be given to act on the results and to provide for proper responses to such needs as are identified.

I call on the Government to put people first and provide increased funding as requested to deal with the current sad situation. I call on the Minister of State to withdraw the disgraceful amendment to this motion and face the true facts outlined by Deputy Gregory. The Government should put people first instead of making cheap political points to cling to power. The Minister of State should act as a man of his word and withdraw this shameful amendment. Government Deputies should have the courage of their convictions and vote with the Independent Deputies in this matter. I commend Deputy Connolly for tabling this motion.

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