James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the annual budget made available to the National Office for Suicide Prevention on a per annum basis since its establishment in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46981/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The budget for the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is set by the Health Service Executive. The total annual funding available to support suicide prevention initiatives is in the region of €8 million which includes the annual budget for the NOSP. The following table provides details of the annual budget for the NOSP since 2005:

An additional €1m has been provided in this year's budget for suicide prevention. This funding will enable the NOSP to build on initiatives to date and bring added momentum and new impetus to their activities to address the increasing incidence of suicide. The following areas will be targeted:

develop the number and range of training and awareness programmes;

improve and standardise the response to deliberate self harm;

develop the capacity of primary care to respond to suicidal behaviour and consider new models of response;

ensure that helpline supports for those in emotional distress are coordinated and widely publicised.