Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy raised some points, which I have already answered in terms of how we are dealing with this issue in a caring way through the education system. He has asked me to confirm again the position on the national strategy for action on suicide prevention. That strategy was launched in September of last year. It builds on the existing policy and on the recommendations of the report of the national task force on suicide which the Government implemented in its first year in office in 1998. The recommendations proposed four levels of action comprising the strategy, which included the general population approach, the target approach, responding to suicide, and information and research. We have followed all those recommendations for the past eight years since the publication of the report of the national task force on suicide.

Deputy Ó Caoláin mentioned the question of resources. We have invested resources to the value of approximately €25 million in the mental health programme. The Government has done an enormous amount in the area of mental health, one being the establishment of the Mental Health Commission. It has also improved the provision of mental health services to ensure that people's interests are maintained and protected.

On the question of family support services, we give a great deal of assistance to various organisations, including self-help organisations, the families of the bereaved and to young people. Courses in the education programme covering this issue are compulsory in schools. Therefore, we have done a great deal in this respect.

In the all the years I have been in this position, Deputy Neville has continually raised this issue with me. I am sure he would agree that we have moved a long way in this area. He has been raising questions on this issue for as I long as I am in this position. We have also developed a strategy for action for suicide prevention.

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