Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

County Kerry recorded the highest rate of suicide in the country between 2009 and 2011. Yesterday, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, launched the Kerry suicide response plan.

It was developed by the Kerry suicide response forum, a HSE-led inter-agency partnership of over 30 statutory community and voluntary groups to address suicide and promote suicide prevention in Kerry. The main objective of the group is to address the prevalence of death by suicide and early detection of suicide clusters occurring in the Kerry area. The Kerry suicide response forum utilises the best practice guidelines, a close observation unit and community training, and practical services are being put in place in response to the problem. The group has also put in place response units that bring together nurses, community workers, clergy and gardaí in the larger towns. They have been set up to respond quickly in the event of death by suicide and to provide help for the bereaved. The high rate of suicide cannot be highlighted enough, nor can we debate suicide prevention enough. With that in mind, I call on the Leader to organise a debate on suicide. As Kerry has led the way in highlighting a response to suicide, I ask that the response be incorporated into the debate.