Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the rate of suicide in the Dublin 8 area; the rate State wide; the initiatives she has taken aimed at areas where there is an identified cluster of youth suicide in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29089/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Data on mortality are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and published in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Vital Statistics. Although the CSO collect data on a county basis, it is not possible to provide a breakdown on the basis of a particular area in Dublin. There were 62 deaths by suicide in Dublin City in 2005 at a rate of 11.9 per 100,000 population. There were 481 deaths by suicide nationally at a rate of 11.6.

"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.

A key component of "Reach Out" 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.