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 in 2007 to €8 million and this level of funding continues into 2008. This funding is being used to develop and implement national training programmes, complete the availability of self-harm services through A&E departments, develop mental health awareness campaigns, implement recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services and support voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention.

It should also be emphasised that a range of services such as mental health and primary care services is 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.

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 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. 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.