James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to implement the recommendations of reach out - the national strategy for action for suicide prevention - and the recommendations of the Oireachtas sub-committee on the high level of suicide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30036/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The recommendations of the Joint Committee on Health and Children regarding the 'High Level of Suicide in Irish Society' published in 2006 and the Committee's recent updated Report are consistent with the actions identified in 'Reach Out' the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention 2005 -2014. The HSE, through the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), oversees the implementation of the strategy.

Initiatives which have been progressed by the NOSP include developing and implementing national training programmes; the development of a training strategy under the direction of a Training and Development Officer; progressing the availability of self-harm services through Hospital Emergency departments; developing a standardised approach to deliberate self harm presentations at Hospital Emergency departments; implementing recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services; dedicated suicide officers; supporting voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention and developing mental health awareness campaigns.

In addition to the €8 million available for suicide prevention initiatives, once-off funding of €1 million was provided in 2009 to further develop services for those bereaved by suicide and to develop an information and awareness campaign aimed at young people. Consultations with young people were arranged under the auspices of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to inform the campaign and a report on the outcomes of this process - 'Teenage Mental Health: What helps? and What hurts? was launched on 15th June 2009.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to adopt a target of reducing the rate of suicide by 20% by 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30037/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to develop initiatives to target those most at risk of suicide, to promote well being, raise awareness and reduce stigma; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30038/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to increase the range of supports to families and communities affected by suicide and bereavement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30040/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to collate accurate data on suicide and conduct and fund research on prevention methods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30041/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 400, 401, 403 and 404 together.

'Reach Out' – A National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention, provides a policy framework for suicide prevention activities in Ireland. The HSE, through the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), oversees the implementation of the strategy.

Initiatives which have been progressed by the NOSP include developing and implementing national training programmes; the development of a training strategy under the direction of a Training and Development Officer; progressing the availability of self-harm services through Hospital Emergency departments; developing a standardised approach to deliberate self harm presentations at Hospital Emergency departments; implementing recommendations arising from a review of bereavement services; dedicated suicide officers; supporting voluntary organisations working in the field of suicide prevention; developing mental health awareness campaigns; the provision of funding to the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) to conduct a pilot project for a national confidential enquiry into suspected suicide deaths and developing a pilot project with coroners to collect relevant data.

In addition to the €8 million available for suicide prevention initiatives, once-off funding of €1 million was provided in 2009 to further develop services for those bereaved by suicide and to develop an information and awareness campaign aimed at young people. Consultations with young people were arranged under the auspices of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to inform the campaign and a report on the outcomes of this process - 'Teenage Mental Health: What helps? and What hurts? was launched on 15th June 2009.

An interim target to achieve a 10% reduction in suicide by 2010 has been agreed with the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Targets to reduce deliberate self-harm (DSH) have also been agreed. The aim is to reduce the incidence of repeated DSH by 5% by 2010 and a further 5% by 2016. These targets are in line with those adopted by Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.