Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree we need to take action in regard to this particular issue. The Deputy's reference to a 13 year old and a 15 year old having recently committed suicide makes the other situation he highlighted even worse. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, in conjunction with the Department of Health and the HSE, will continue to enhance the policies and services to reduce the incidence of suicide in Ireland.

I have looked at the statistics for Wexford. The Deputy is right in what he said. According to the three year moving average rate of suicide per 100,000 population by county of residents deceased between 2004 to 2017, the national average was 8.8%. In Wexford, its is 11.1%. I accept what the Deputy says. I do not propose to make false promises but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and ask that consideration be given to Wexford in the context of any services development into the future. We must take action. Suicide is a serious problem. We cannot afford to lose young people like Kenneth Roe. As I said, I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, in the hope that he will take action in the next few months.

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