Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Last year there was a lengthy series of discussions between the HSE and the Office of the Minister for Children and the national working group to review the recommendations on the provision of out-of-hours child care services. The issue was examined on a national basis. The working group, which comprises the HSE, the Garda Síochána and Focus Ireland, reported on a comprehensive out-of-hours service for children and families. It has been developing a new model. Under the Child Care Act the Garda has a role and there are protocols. I understand that there is a protocol in force in Wexford but not every area has one. That model has been developed.

On the second issue of what we are doing, we all know that suicide is a very serious social problem. Reach Out, the national strategy for action on suicide prevention, has developed four levels of action in recent years: a general population approach, a targeted approach, responding to suicide and information research. The National Office for Suicide Prevention oversees implementation of that strategy, co-ordinates suicide prevention activities across the State and does very good work. Suicide prevention is an integral part of mental health and primary care services, and general practitioners play a key role in that. Effective action to prevent suicidal behaviour requires the involvement and collaboration not only of GPs, but also mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers. They are all involved with vulnerable people.

Last year, over €26 million was provided to develop mental health services in line with A Vision for Change, the report of the expert group on mental health policy. A further €25 million was allocated this year to continue that development and funding was allocated specifically for prevention initiatives and research. Money was also made available to develop a national training programme to complete the availability of self-harm services through accident and emergency departments and to implement the national positive mental health awareness programme. In light of the increased information in recent years, interim targets have been set for a reduction in the number of suicides across the State among people involved in self-harm programmes.

Such efforts do not always prevent problems and in this case, as in others, we must consider precisely what happened, if there were shortfalls, what were they and if something was missed, why was that the case? All that must be taken into account in an examination of the matter. I am pointing out what is being done and resources are being invested to make things happen. I agree with the Deputy on the out-of-hours issue. It is self-evident that these services should be provided not only on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. basis. That is an issue of negotiation in building a new model.

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