Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I request the Leader to seek a debate on the HSE's directive to withdraw funding for travel for non-clinical work. As Members of this House may know, suicide awareness training falls into the category. The directive means that the allowances paid to current specialised tutors will be cut and a service that is aimed at removing the stigma attached to suicide and giving support to communities is now at risk. In my home town, 29 people from the community have signed up for the course at the Nano Nagle Centre, Carrick-on-Suir. The course provides people with support and an opportunity to learn the skills required to spot signs of suicidal behaviour. It gives people the lifesaving tools they need to help others in their community affected by suicide. After the first three sessions funding towards the travel costs for the tutor has been cut. The drastic action has caused great disappointment among participants and the likelihood is that training will be put on hold until at least the New Year. This is at a time when more people are being treated for self-harm in our accident and emergency centres caused by either cyber-bullying, loss of a job or loneliness and isolation in rural Ireland. The relatively small amount of money allocated for the running of the service should be reinstated as soon as possible. I appeal to the Minister of State and my Labour Party colleague, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to find out if anything can be done to reverse such a drastic decision to cut services of this nature. I ask the Leader to request the relevant Minister to deal with the issue as a matter of urgency.