Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the suicide statistics, crucial for research and prevention, are accurate; if the required form 104 is completed in all cases of suicide; her views on the report, Inquested Deaths in Ireland: A study of routine data and recording procedures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42960/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The study "Inquested Deaths in Ireland: A study of routine data and recording procedures" was commissioned by the National Office for Suicide Prevention, carried out by the National Suicide Research Foundation and published in December 2007. The study focused on all deaths that occurred in 2002 that led to a coroner's inquest — approximately 1,800. Deaths by suicide accounted for about 500 of these. The study indicated that the CSO was in receipt of appropriately completed forms for in excess of 90% of the inquested deaths.

The Central Statistics Office has taken steps to improve both the traceability and rate of return of Form 104. Proposals to improve data collection on suicide have been agreed between the National Office for Suicide Prevention, the National Suicide Research Foundation and the coroner service. A pilot system to collect more comprehensive data on suicide has been developed. Briefing and upskilling sessions with the staff of the coroner service from the pilot region, are due to be completed by the end of November. The pilot, which has just commenced, will run for a period of eighteen months.