Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Senator Byrne, called for a debate on the hospital groupings. I will certainly arrange a debate on that in the short term. With regard to the Omagh bombings, the Taoiseach has stated that he is willing to meet with the bereaved families in Omagh. I am sure that will be arranged in the short term also.

The fact that the vast majority of Senators mentioned the sad passing of young Donal Walsh is indicative of the life he led and the example he gave to everybody. He certainly was an inspiration to all who listened to him. While we of course extend our deepest sympathy to his heartbroken family, we should certainly celebrate a life that has given inspiration to so many people and which highlighted the issue of suicide prevention.

A number of Senators, in expressing sympathy, have also raised the question of debates on suicide. We have had four or five debates to date on suicide and its prevention. People have also been critical of funding for mental health services. This Government committed to a €35 million special allocation for mental health services in 2012 and 2013 for adult and child mental health services. The special allocation included the creation of 414 mental health posts of which the majority, 410, are now in place. That is significant progress in that area.

I am happy to inform the House that the budget for 2013 allocated a further €35 million which will include an additional 470 posts that will be advertised shortly. We have seen action in that regard and the Government is committed to the area. The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, has received assurances from the HSE that the recruitment process for the 2013 posts is in progress. Advertising for them has commenced. An example of the spending involved in the €35 million special allocation on suicide strategy is as follows. The Minister of State has taken the lead and is committed to implementing the recommendations of Reach Out, the national strategy for action on suicide prevention 2005-14. I am happy to be able to inform the House that the national office for suicide prevention has implemented most of the recommendations in the strategy, delivering a general population approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention, using targeted programmes for people at high risk of suicide, delivering services to individuals who have engaged in deliberate self harm and providing support to families and communities bereaved by suicide. I am not prepared to accept suggestions from the House that the Government is doing little or nothing regarding mental health and suicide prevention.