Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the level of suicide and self-harm in rural Ireland and on whether more action is needed at local level to protect the most vulnerable; her further views on whether the supports for families, individuals and communities affected by suicide and deliberate self-harm need to be enhanced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18810/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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'Reach Out' — A National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, which was launched in September 2005 provides a policy framework for suicide prevention activities in Ireland. 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.

'Reach Out' recognises the importance of reaching out to people who work in places and settings that can be isolated and a key component of the strategy is the implementation of measures aimed at high risk groups and vulnerable people. These include the provision of information and training on suicide prevention to relevant professionals and organisations, research on suicide prevention and the improvement of services which would benefit those at risk of suicide and those who attempt suicide. Implementation of the strategy is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.

In acknowledging the issue of rural suicide, in 2007 Teagasc funded a PhD study over 3 years to examine the issue of rural men and suicide. When completed this study will set a direction for future work.