Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will review her decision to freeze in Budget 2008 the implementation of the recommendations of Reach Out, the national strategy for action on suicide prevention. [9794/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Since the establishment of the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention in 2005, additional funding of €3.55 million has been provided for the implementation of "Reach Out" — the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014. This brought the total funding available to support suicide prevention initiatives to €8 million and this level of funding continues into 2008.

It should also be emphasised that a range of services such as mental health and primary care services are important in helping to prevent suicide. These services play a vital role in the drive to reduce the incidence of suicide, and should be taken into account when considering the level of expenditure devoted to suicide prevention.