Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am alarmed and saddened today to learn of the rise in suicide rates among young women living in Dublin South-Central.We learned that there were 37 deaths by suicide in Dublin South-Central in 2017, 50% of whom were women. The numbers are equal, but this is a very new departure. Unfortunately, young men are more likely to take their lives by suicide. There has been a rise in the number of women doing so. These women have been described by HSE psychiatrists from Dublin South-Central as a new profile of women and it was stated that the statistics are unique to the area.

They include mothers with young children, women who were early school leavers, women who are homeless, women with adverse childhood experiences and women with drug and substance abuse histories. These figures are very worrying and shocking and cannot continue. They demonstrate the importance of women's mental health. These women clearly did not have the right supports and are not being given any supports from the State. I hope the figures do not become the norm into the future. It is very worrying that the figures are so unique to one of the poorest parts of our country. We need to take heed of them and do something about the issue. It is outrageous that it has been described by psychiatrists working for the HSE as a unique situation to the particular area. I would like the Minister to come to the House to discuss this matter.

The second issue I would like to raise is the former Harold's Cross stadium site which has been earmarked for use as a school. I have been contacted by groups of parents from primary schools in Dublin 8 and 12 who have raised concerns about their exclusion from the process by which the Minister is awarding patronage to the intended school for the site. I would like to ask the Minister for Education and Skills to reconsider disallowing groups in Dublin 8 and 12 from participating in the process for applying for patronage of the school at the site. I cannot understand why they would be disallowed from applying for patronage as the school is in close proximity to residents of Dublin 8 and 12. There is a lack of multidenominational, non-fee paying schools in Dublin 8 and 12 and given their proximity to the site it is outrageous that parents have been excluded from the process. Would it be possible for the Minister to come to the House to explain how the catchment area for the new school was decided and why Dublin 8 and 12 were excluded?