James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Neville for raising this important issue. I am aware that the number of deaths by suicide has increased in recent years. Discussing statistics in this context seems cold and unfeeling but we need to be aware of the increasing number of deaths by suicide. In regard to the Deputy's assertion on the number of deaths that are not reported in the statistics as suicides, we must be consistent in making comparisons until we make a decision on moving in that direction. There is no doubt that the suspicion arises in certain incidents, such as single vehicle fatal accidents, that suicide was involved.

The suicide rate in Ireland had been undergoing a gradual decline, from 497 in 2003 to 458 in 2007. These decreases gave cause for optimism that the action taken at local and national level to prevent suicide was having a positive impact. However, the number of deaths by suicide increased to 506 in 2008, an increase of 10.5% over the 2007 figures, and the provisional figures from the Central Statistics Office are 527 for 2009 and 486 for 2010. These are staggering statistics and they show that more people lose their lives from suicide than on the roads. The increases in 2008 and 2009 were largely in the middle age groups, which we think were severely affected by the economic downturn. Male suicides outnumber female suicides by a ratio of 4:1 and in some younger age groups the ratio is 7:1. While welcome, the reduction between 2009 and 2010 still leaves us to deal with a high level of suicides.

Reach Out, our policy strategy on suicide prevention, outlines the actions that need to be taken to prevent suicide and deliberate self-harm and increase awareness of the importance of good mental health. The National Office for Suicide Prevention is responsible for the implementation of Reach Out. A number of suicide prevention initiatives have been progressed in recent years, including the development and implementation of the ASIST and Safetalk national training programmes and the development of mental health awareness campaigns through TV, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising and the production of websites and written material.

In 2011, mental health awareness campaigns will focus on young people and those in distress as a result of their economic vulnerability. There is continued support for voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention; this year, with the additional €l million provided for suicide prevention, a further 25 programmes were funded. Specialist training has been agreed and implemented with the Garda, the Prison Service and the Defence Forces and work is under way with the fire and ambulance services. In addition, a "tough economic times" information and training programme has been introduced for the staff of organisations such as citizens advice centres, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and so on.

During 2011, the National Office for Suicide Prevention will continue to develop both the number and range of training and awareness programmes, including the ASISTprogramme, to reach the most vulnerable in our communities; improve and standardise the response to deliberate self-harm presentations; develop the capacity of primary care to respond to suicidal behaviour and consider new models of response; and ensure that helpline supports for those in emotional distress are co-ordinated and widely publicised. Within each of these four areas an emphasis will be placed on the most vulnerable groups identified in Reach Out and more recent research.

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