Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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457. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the Mojo programme for mental health for men; if he has considered supporting its expansion; and if he has considered expanding the programme to take in Cork city. [5926/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Since the initial pilot was established in 2011 to target the high level of male suicide, Mojo has proven to be a high-quality, evidence-based mental health programme.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention fully funded the first two Mojo pilot projects in South Dublin and Kildare, and has committed some funding to projects in Offaly and North Dublin. The National Office for Suicide Prevention has also funded a Programme Co-ordinator and administrative support. Since June 2016, Mental Health Ireland has hosted the Mojo Programme.

The Mojo Programme itself is a twelve-week programme. In an attempt to address the increasing need for mental health services, a "Mini Mojo" starter programme has been introduced. There have also been initiatives to expand capacity, such as men being trained by Samaritans as 'Mojo' Listeners to offer peer listening service to distressed men. A toolkit has also been designed to guide and inform potential new Mojo groups.

Much of the success of the programme to date has been the immense investment in building and engaging key stakeholders in the community and it is vital that the ethos and structure of the programme is not diminished by a rapid expansion plan. As such any expansion of the Mojo Programme should be measured, sustainable and affordable. The criteria for selecting new projects are based on need, interagency capacity and sustainability. Pre-development work has taken place with consortiums in South Kerry, Sligo and Dublin South Central with other requests from Dublin North Inner City, Fingal, Laois, and West Meath. A formal application has not been received from Cork; if such an application is received it will be processed with the same considerations to need, interagency capacity and sustainability. The Interagency Steering Committee's Practise and Research Working Group will oversee the selection of new Mojo Projects based on the criteria and application form. A detailed outline of the steps involved in the establishment of Mojo Project can be found on their website, www. Mojo.ngo.