Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. Suicide is a challenging issue, especially where we use the phrase "black spots". The numbers have been stubbornly high. Bringing them down and building resilience are challenging tasks. The HSE is funding partner agencies in south Dublin including Candle Community Trust, Aware, BeLonG To, Mental Health Ireland, Pieta House, Samaritans Ireland and Suicide or Survive.

The resource officer for suicide prevention in the area is also involved with mental health promotion and training at local level. I do not have last year's figures to hand but in 2017, more than 1,000 individuals working or living in the south Dublin area were trained through programmes to enhance the community's capacity to respond to suicide and self-harm. They have been educated to be alert to the signals and to intervene and intercept incidences. That sounds like a bad word, but ultimately that is what we are trying to do in cases where people do not make a phone call to one of those agencies. Through these programmes people are empowered and trained to identify signals.

A range of measures is in place. There is no doubt that it is an ongoing issue which needs to be resourced. The Deputy mentioned the drug and alcohol task forces. I have been a part of one for years. It is really important that alongside other agencies and statutory bodies, they are empowered to facilitate training for people in the community to address this issue. The Ministers have been open to meeting. I cannot speak for them but the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, who lives in the area, is acutely aware of the issue and the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, has expressed a willingness to visit.

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