Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Adams raises an issue that is particularly sensitive for many families and people. It is an issue that Deputy Dan Neville raised in this House for 20 years when he was in opposition. I do not have the actual figures in front of me but as far as I am aware, those who were to be recruited using the moneys voted for recruitment of psychologists and qualified personnel to work in this area have all been recruited but for a few in particular categories that may not be available here and for whom it may be necessary to advertise internationally. I will get the figures on this for Deputy Adams, because I asked for them this morning. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has been heavily involved in all of this work. The commitment of €35 million of ring-fenced moneys was made for this purpose and for a range of activities dealing with community mental health teams in adult and child mental health services.

The Deputy makes a valid point about the difficulty of bullying, particularly cyberbullying, and he is aware that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children held hearings on this and is preparing a report on its impact and how it might be dealt with. The causes of suicide are many and difficult to determine, be they pressure or depression, financial problems, alcohol abuse, relationships or whatever. The tragic result is very difficult for people to understand. As one person said to me some time ago, "For the rest of our lives we will ask: was there something we should have seen? Was there something we should have known? Was there an issue that we should have addressed?" I know from talking to people across the country that there is a great deal of assistance and understanding available for those who find themselves in a pressurised situation in one way or another. The staff that were to be recruited have all been recruited except for a few, and I believe the services have to look to other areas for the categories of speciality they need. I will send the figures to the Deputy.

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