Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil as an deis labhairt ar an gceist rí-thábhachtach seo agus comhghairdeachas a ghabháil leis an gcoiste as an tuairisc áisiúil atá curtha ós ár gcomhair, agus na moltaí atá sa tuairisc sin. Tá na moltaí réasúnta, agus is féidir linn, mar shochaí, díriú isteach orthu agus déileáil leis an gceist thábhachtach seo, ceist a chuireamar ar leataobh thar na blianta, agus is trua é sin. Tá muintir na tíre seo go ginearálta, agus daoine óga ach go háirithe, ag fáil bháis trí fhéin-mharú. Tá a lán daoine eile istigh in oispidéil ar feadh tréimhsí gairide agus fada toisc iarracht a dhéanamh ar fhéin-mharú. Tá a gclann acu, agus tá siad fágtha ina ndiaidh.

I was impressed by the list of those who gave evidence to the committee and those who made written submissions. A wealth of knowledge was expressed in the committee's report. If we cannot listen to what the committee has to say, we should listen to those who have tried to commit suicide and those who have inflicted harm on themselves. They are crying out for help. As a society, we need to look away from the materialist culture that has developed in recent years. We are all in a rush and we forget the basic steps that we must take as parents, friends, adults and young people. We must listen to each other and take the time to find out what is wrong if there is an indication that something is wrong. Too often, people have not taken the time to listen.

I commend the report and hope the Government will provide the required resources to deliver on the action that the committee has set out. In many cases, the committee has done our work by telling us how much its recommendations would cost. In many cases, the cost is minimal, and if it saves just one life then it is money well spent. This was the hidden history in Ireland for years. We now have an opportunity to speak about it and we need to address it. We need to give much more attention to this aspect of our society.

A helpline was set up a few weeks ago for teenagers in Ballyfermot who feel depressed and that they need somebody to whom they can talk. That action must be commended and I hope it can be extended to other areas around the country, especially those areas which are suicide blackspots. The money should be made available for it. The Minister of State noted that €1 million from the dormant accounts fund was allocated to 20 projects that provide suicide prevention supports. That must be doubled, trebled or even quadrupled. It is within the community and within families that many of the suicides can be prevented. This is where the additional supports and training are required in order to recognise the telltale signs and help address this tragic problem in our society.

Only two weeks ago my own children's football training was held up because a young man had committed suicide on the grounds. This was harrowing and tragic for the victim and for his family, but those who suddenly became aware of the suicide were also victims such as the young kids who saw what had happened the night before.

The figures provided by the Minister of State may be an under-estimation but they are the statistics with which we must work. They stand at more than 400 a year for a number of years. Every year, 400 families are suffering the tragic consequences. This takes its toll on parents, siblings, friends and acquaintances of the victims, whether young or old. It is not bound by any class but is something which affects all people on this island. As we are an island nation, there is a need to address this problem on an all-Ireland basis. We need to make the links with those in the Six Counties who are tackling suicide and trying to help prevent it. We must ensure the message goes out loud and clear that we are willing to listen as a society, that we are not too busy with our own work and trying to make ends meet to take the time to listen to those who are closest to us.

Simple steps can be taken. One of the first matters I raised in this House on being elected was the issue of the Ballyfermot health centre. People with mental illness are expected to go to this centre for support and help. The building is a living disgrace. It would do nothing to encourage those who are suffering from depression or other mental disabilities to seek help. It is like an old aircraft hangar and it has not been painted in God knows how long. It is dilapidated and damp and is not suitable for its current purpose. The reply to my query four years ago was that there was a plan to replace it. A plan is not good enough because there have been no moves to replace it and there is no plan in place. It will be another three or four years before that mental health centre and the problems it is facing will be addressed. I presume the same is true throughout the country.

The Minister of State is probably correct about the amount of money being spent on this sector but we also need to address the facilities being used. I hope the HSE will look at these centres because people with problems of depression are being encouraged to go to these centres to seek help.

Prison suicides make headline news more than the suicides of young people or of those who commit suicide in their own homes or elsewhere. In this day and age, prisoners should not be committing suicide. There should be adequate supports within the prisons. Prison officers do their best but more supports are obviously needed.

People in general must be proactive in their approach to suicide. If a suicide black spot is known within a community where there have been a number of suicides within a short period, we must ensure that the proper supports and professional staff address the problem within an area before it gets worse. It is the case that sometimes suicides happen in clusters, especially among young people who may believe they have no alternative but to take their own lives. The message must go out that there are alternatives, that it does not matter what mistake was made or what the problem is, and that society is willing to help them to try to rebuild their lives.

The reasons for suicide may include simple reasons such as a personal mistake or that a person does not feel strong enough to face up to the pressures of work or examinations. We need to ensure that we, as a society, do not impose those pressures.

Other speakers referred to the role of alcohol which is a significant factor in teenage suicide and in those who are no longer teenagers. We need to continue to address the effects of alcohol, including its depressant effect. I have called on many occasions in this House for society and the Government to take a harder stance on the drug issue and on the effects of cocaine in particular. Cocaine has led to a number of suicides in my area. The number of suicides in Dublin South-Central has increased each year. The community made efforts to establish the Teenline scheme which is now up and running.

We need to provide significant supports for those 12,000 people who committed self-harm and attempted suicide. I have visited a number of such people. In some cases, it was a cry for help because they thought nobody was listening while others believed there was no future for them. Thankfully, they have come through and rebuilt their lives.

It is not solely the duty of Members of this House, youth workers or those in the medical professions to be vigilant. Employers and employees need to be vigilant. Employers are too busy ensuring that profits are made and that there is compliance with health and safety regulations or with other regulations. They sometimes forget that they must look after the well-being of their employees. They need to ensure they understand the pressures being faced by their employees and that they are not put under undue pressure.

I commend the work of the committee. I hope that when the House returns to discuss this issue in another year's time, most of the recommendations will have been delivered by the Government.

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