Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Department of Health and Children

Suicide Prevention

9:00 am

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons working in the individual suicide resource offices in each Health Service Executive region. [39092/06]

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of permanent suicide resource officers and temporary suicide officers by secondment from areas of the health service. [39093/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, entitled 'A Vision for Change', was launched on 24 January 2006. This provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years. In 2006, a sum of €25 million has been allocated for the further development of our mental health services in line with 'A Vision for Change'.

An additional €1.2 million was provided in 2006 to the National Office for Suicide Prevention specifically for suicide prevention initiatives and research. The Office was established by the Health Service Executive in 2005. It is responsible for the implementation of "Reach Out", the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention and provides support to groups and organisations for their work in the development of suicide prevention initiatives.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

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