Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress on the implementation of the 33 recommendations of the Joint Committee report on High Levels of Suicide in Ireland published in July 2006 and debated in Dáil Éireann on 26 October 2006. [30308/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to the implementation of suicide prevention initiatives and the further development of services to prevent and reduce further tragic loss of life. In September 2005, "Reach Out" — a National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014 was launched. The strategy provides a policy framework for suicide prevention activities in Ireland until 2014. The strategy calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster cooperation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies. The National Office for Suicide Prevention oversees the implementation of the strategy and has taken on board the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Health and Children on the high levels of suicide in Irish society, which are consistent with the actions identified in "Reach Out". Additional funding of €1.2 million and €1.85 million was provided in 2006 and 2007 respectively for the implementation of the Strategy which brings the overall funding available to support suicide prevention initiatives in 2007 to €8 million. This funding is being used to develop and implement national training programmes, develop mental health awareness campaigns, complete the availability of self-harm services through accident and emergency departments, implement recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services and support voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention.