James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Neville for raising this important issue. The Deputy is known to be a great champion of the cause of suicide prevention.

The suicide rate in Ireland gradually declined between 2003 and 2007 from 497 to 458. However, this trend has reversed and evidence supports a link between the economic downturn and the increase in the rate of suicide. A recent CSO report indicates an increase of 7% in the number of suicides. Some 525 suicides were registered in 2011, compared with 490 in 2010. The figures also revealed a rise in male suicides, which accounted for 84% of all suicide deaths in 2011. These latest figures for the numbers of people who died by suicide last year are truly disturbing. Suicide is a tragedy that we are constantly working to prevent. We are also working to give more support to the families affected.

Reach Out, our national strategy for action on suicide prevention, sets out a series of specific actions and calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster co-operation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies. Up to 20 voluntary organisations are part funded by the HSE to provide excellent support services, including telephone and web based helplines. The National Office for Suicide Prevention, NOSP, has implemented most of the Reach Out recommendations in a four way strategy of delivering a general population approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention, using targeted programmes for people at high risk of suicide, delivering services to individuals who have engaged in deliberate self-harm and providing support to families and communities bereaved by suicide. A wide range of awareness and training programmes is also available, including safeTALK and ASIST, which trains participants to become more alert to the possibility of suicide in their communities. The NOSP has also piloted a system of suicide crisis assessment nurses working with emergency departments and GPs which will be rolled out nationally this year.

The special allocation of €35 million for mental health which was announced in budget 2012 will be used primarily to further strengthen community mental health teams in adult and children's mental health services and initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care specifically for people with mental health problems. I am pleased to announce that Dr. Stephanie O'Keeffe, former head of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, has recently been appointed as permanent director of the NOSP. Dealing with the current levels of suicide and deliberate self-harm is a priority for this Government. I am continuing to monitor NOSP initiatives and the activities of voluntary agencies, as well as funding by the HSE and, in particular, progress on our special €35 million package of measures for mental health.

The challenge of suicide prevention is one of the most urgent issues facing society but I am confident that by working collectively policy makers, service providers and service users can and will respond to this challenge. I assure the House of the Government's unwavering commitment to addressing this issue.

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