Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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765. To ask the Minister for Health the extent of North-South co-operation, in relation to the issues of mental health and suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21831/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There are many areas where the North and South jurisdictions collaborate to mutual benefit in relation to the issues of mental health and suicide prevention; in research, evaluation, awareness raising, piloting new approaches, shared learning and good practice. In response to the high number of suicides and self-harm presentation in recent years, both jurisdictions have separately agreed national strategies for action: Reach Out – Ireland’s National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention(2005), and Protect Life - A Shared Vision - The Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy(2006). Both jurisdictions are currently finalising work on the development of two new Suicide Prevention Strategies, and these will be published in June (Ireland) and September (Northern Ireland).

An All-Island Action Plan on suicide prevention has been developed between the Department of Health, the Department of Health, Social Services, and Public Safety, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). Particular actions arising from this approach have included, understanding risk issues particularly for young men, the roll-out of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), the extension of the National Registry of Deliberate Self-Harm into Northern Ireland, and the sharing of training resources. There has been significant cooperation between the PHA and the NOSP in relation to these measures.

The NOSP, as part of its programme of work, will in partnership with the Department of Health and the health authorities in Northern Ireland further develop and implement the All-Island Action Plan focusing on knowledge transfer, sharing of resources and information of programmes that are exemplars of good practice. Officials from the both departments and agencies meet on an annual basis to share information and to consider further areas for collaboration.