Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths by suicide of persons under 25 between 1997 and 2004 in County Tipperary and nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17098/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a recent trend in County Tipperary (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17099/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to tackle the unusually high rate of suicide in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17100/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 155, inclusive, together.

The number of deaths by suicide of persons under 25 in County Tipperary and nationally 1997-2004 as requested by the Deputy are as follows.

Suicide is a serious social problem here and every suicide and attempted suicide is a tragic event. As the Deputy is aware, work is now well under way on the preparation of a national strategy for action on suicide prevention. This strategy, which involves the project management unit of the Health Service Executive in partnership with the National Suicide Review Group supported by the Department of Health and Children will be action-based from the outset and will outline the priority initiatives for suicide prevention and mental health promotion across the country for the coming years. All measures aimed at reducing the number of deaths by suicide will be considered in the preparation of this strategy which will be published in September of this year.