Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of reports from the chairperson of the Irish Association of Suicidology that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or Asperger's syndrome are at a higher risk of suicide, she will increase the funding made available to the Health Service Executive to increase educational support services for children and teenagers in these categories in order to ensure that every opportunity and assistance is given to developing the social and communication skills of children and adolescents diagnosed with these conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39557/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The multiannual investment programme, published last December by the Government, contains details of specific commitments in relation to the provision of certain high priority disability services, including mental health services, over the period 2006 to 2009. This programme, together with the enhancement of other support services, are key factors in building the additional capacity required to put in place the new framework provided for in the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004.

Under the multiannual investment programme 2006 additional funding of €59 million is being made available to support and further enhance the service developments put in place as a result of the increase in the level of funding provided in 2005. A further €41 million is also being provided in 2006 to the disability and mental health services to enhance multidisciplinary support services for people with disabilities with a particular focus on enhancing services for children.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Tánaiste launched "Reach Out — National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005-2014" in September of this year. To oversee the implementation of Reach Out, a new national office for suicide prevention, NOSP, has been established by the HSE. An additional €1.2 million has been allocated to NOSP to support the implementation of the strategy in 2006.