Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funding allocated to the National Office on Suicide Prevention for the implementation of Reach Out National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention in 2006, 2007 and 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28340/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the establishment of the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) in 2005, €1.2m additional funding was allocated in 2006 and a further €1.85 million was allocated in 2007 for the implementation of 'Reach Out' — the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, 2005-2014. This brings the total funding available for suicide initiatives in 2008 to €8 million. The NOSP has an annual budget of €4.5m. This funding is being used to develop and implement national training programmes, implement awareness campaigns, progress actions identified in an All-Island Action Plan for Suicide Prevention. Other suicide prevention initiatives, which include the funding for dedicated suicide resources officers, deliberate self-harm response nurses in A&E departments, funding to local voluntary groups etc, are delivered and funded directly by the HSE.

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.