Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for his comments which I will ensure are brought directly to the attention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. The HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention is responsible for overseeing implementation of the national strategy for action on suicide prevention. The budget for suicide prevention measures is approximately €9 million, which includes the annual budget of €4.1 million of the National Office for Suicide Prevention and €5 million used to fund resource officers for suicide prevention, self-harm nurses in accident and emergency departments and the development of local suicide prevention initiatives. An additional €1 million was provided in 2011.

I am very much aware of the campaign the Deputy conducts so vigorously and effectively. People like him are campaigning and seeking to bring these issues to our attention. The Minister will be in direct contact with him about the issues raised.

See this speech in context