Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of recorded deaths in County Clare as a result of suicide over the past three years and the past six months of 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19472/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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According to figures provided by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the number of deaths by suicide, classified by county of residence of deceased, was 17 for County Clare in 2004. There were 15 deaths by suicide in 2005, this figure is provisional based on year of registration. There were 9 deaths by suicide during the period January to September 2006, again this is a provisional figure based on year of registration. Subsequent data for year ending October to December 2006 and data for 2007 have not yet been released by the CSO.

"Reach Out", the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, was launched in 2005. The National Office for Suicide Prevention was established by the Health Service Executive to oversee the implementation of the Strategy; to coordinate suicide prevention activities across the State; to consult widely in relation to the planning of future initiatives and to ensure best practice in suicide prevention.

In 2006, an additional €1.2 million was allocated to the Health Service Executive specifically for suicide prevention initiatives. A further €1.85 million has been allocated for 2007 bringing the total funding available in 2007 to support suicide prevention initiatives to approximately €8 million.