Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the establishment of an interdepartmental body between his Department and the Department of Health and Children to investigate the measures that may be taken to tackle the growing missing persons problem, in view of his Department's involvement in such matters from a policing perspective and the involvement of mental health services with missing persons experiencing difficulties; his further views on taking such action also with a view to tackling the growing problem of suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43662/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda authorities take direct responsibility for all issues relating to the investigation of the circumstances of missing persons. Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the Health Act 2004. While there is ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the HSE on the matters referred to, currently there are no proposals to establish an inter-departmental group.

As the Deputy may be aware, the HSE established the National Office for Suicide Prevention following the launch in September 2005 of "Reach Out", a National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention. The Office was established to oversee the implementation of the Strategy and to coordinate suicide prevention activities across the State, consult widely in relation to the planning of future initiatives and ensure best practice in suicide prevention.