John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I had intended to discuss the conditions in the macroeconomy that led to a reduction in the unemployment register. However, it is not every day we have the opportunity to address directly the Minister for Finance. I wish to do so in respect of a topic in which I have a particular interest.

I propose to take one element and examine it on a micro level. In the British Medical Journal in 2013, a researcher called Kenneth Hawton examined the impact of recession on health, in particular on mental health, in 54 countries, in Europe and America. He used suicide as the indicator.

Other international studies show that 1% increase in unemployment is related to a 0.79% increase in the rate of suicide. Thankfully, that rate of suicide has not been evident in this country. However, there are some startling and rather disturbing figures. In 2011, when this Government came into power, it appeared the unemployment rate would breach the 500,000 mark. That would have been an appalling disaster for the country. Happily, the Government managed to turn the situation around and now the number is substantially below 400,000.

Let us look at the correlation between the rate of unemployment and the suicide rate in the past couple of years. The most up-to-date figures are for 2012 as the statistics are two years behind. In 2006, the unemployment rate was 4.1% and the suicide rate was 10.9%. It remained stable up to 2008, when the rate of unemployment increased to 6.1% and the suicide rate increased to 11.4%. There was a noticeable increase in suicide rates when the impact of the recession was felt in the economy. In 2009, we saw a major increase to 11.6% in the unemployment rate which was matched by a 12.4% rate of suicide. Some 552 people died by suicide that year. In 2012, some 554 died by suicide. The unemployment rate remained just as high. The recession has consequences. It really affects people. The figures show it in the most dramatic form. That is why it is absolutely vital, as the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance and other Minister have said, that we focus on a reduction in the unemployment rate.

A study in Cork in its first report on the Suicide Support and Information System examined 307 cases of suicide between 2008 and 2011. It showed that 41% of all those who died by suicide had become unemployed in the construction and production sectors. Lest there be any doubt of a link between the recession and suicide rates, the largest increase in the rate of suicide happened in the age cohorts where unemployment was greatest, that is, in the age cohorts of 15 to 24; 24 to 34; and 35 to 45. I hope that when the figures for 2013 become available, they will reflect the decrease in the rate of unemployment. It is important that we draw attention to the suicide rate in the context of the debate on the economy when the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, is in the Chamber.

I will conclude on that point as I do not have sufficient time to make further points.