Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I wish to refer to a matter of concern that arose last week, namely, a cut of 12.5% in the funding provided to the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The voluntary organisations which work in this area and which receive funding from that office will be affected by this cut. In addition, it will give rise to a diminution in the work carried out by the office.

I wish to comment on the approach adopted by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, in respect of the stresses caused by the downturn in the economy. Levels of suicide and psychiatric illness, particularly depression, increase during recessionary periods. In addition, during such times the level of suicide among those who are unemployed is higher than that among those who are in employment.

It is my intention to contrast the decision of the HSE to reduce funding to the National Office for Suicide Prevention with the approach of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, who allocated an additional €11 million in order to deal with the new stresses that are having an impact on family life. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs recently stated that there is now, more than ever, a need to ensure that quality services are available in order to help families which may be experiencing new pressures and stresses in their lives. In that context, we must recall that people are coming under psychological and emotional pressure and that there has been an increase in the incidence of suicide.

Rather than emulating the approach taken by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE have decided to reduce the funding available to the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The former Minister also stated:

The difficult economic situation being experienced throughout the country is filtering into the lives and homes of families throughout Ireland. Where a person loses their job or has their working hours cut back, this financial strain can lead to pressures in relationships.

The Minister for Health and Children must recognise that pressure also comes to bear on the mental health and well-being of people affected by the downturn. Why is this area of pressure being ignored? In fact, there is a reduction in funding in this regard. Another Minister, Deputy Hanafin, recognises the pressures that arise within a family. She spoke about having a network of support services available throughout the country to provide marriage and relationship counselling services, which is the core part of helping families to cope with the problems with which they are confronted. In her press release she identified up to 20 organisations for which she had significantly increased the Department's contribution. However, the Minister for Health and Children has cut funding for suicide prevention by 12.5%.

See this speech in context