Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I must leave party politics aside because matters are too serious in the health services. Essential health services need to be looked after. Nowhere is this truer than in the crucial issue of suicide prevention. Suicide remains the nation’s silent killer. There is not one community, not to mind one family, that has not been affected by suicide. There is nothing in this expenditure review to help suicide victims. Suicide is particularly hard on young men. There are ten suicides a week on the Minister’s watch but he does nothing about it. The situation is getting worse. Most of those affected are young males in the 15 to 19 year group. Some of the Government’s measures have specifically contributed to the prevalence of suicide and homelessness. Young people, especially males, leave school not knowing their worth or place in society. The Government took away their guidance counsellors in school, leaving many unprepared for the outside world. Then the Government cut their jobseeker’s allowance from €188 a week to €100. The Government’s local authorities then refused to let them on housing lists, telling them there was room in their parents’ attics. When they had to leave their parents’ houses, the Government would not give them rent supplement. No wonder there are homelessness and addiction issues. There is nothing in this budget dealing with the suicide issue.

Suicide prevention services are totally stretched. Up to 40% of people who committed suicide were in touch with the National Office for Suicide Prevention seeking help. Tax cuts for the rich are the Minister’s answer to the suicide problem. Shame on the Government.

Speech and language therapy services have been cut back, affecting young people in their formative years.

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