Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

220. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the mental health supports in place for serving gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43474/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

221. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the cases of five serving gardaí who committed suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43475/17]

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if more supports will be rolled out to serving gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43476/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 221 and 222 together.

It is the role of the Coroner Service to investigate unnatural or sudden deaths including deaths that may have resulted from suicide, in order to establish the ‘who, when, where and how’ of an unexplained death.  Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to be specific about the number of members of An Garda Síochána who lost their lives through suicide as some cases of unnatural or sudden deaths of members of An Garda Síochána may still be before the Coroner Service.

That said, clearly the family, friends and colleagues of any Garda members who have lost their lives through suicide are deserving of our deepest sympathies.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that following any such tragic loss An Garda Síochána puts in place a comprehensive welfare response to assist and support members who may be affected. The welfare response is delivered by the Garda Employee Assistance Service, Occupational Health Department, Human Resource Management and Local Management. It includes various interventions including Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Peer Support, Bereavement and Self Care Education.  

I am advised by the Commissioner that the Garda Employee Assistance Service is available to members of An Garda Síochána and supports them in managing and resolving personal and work-related difficulties. In addition, there is an independent confidential help line and counselling service available to all staff within An Garda Síochána.  This service provides all employees with immediate support from accredited counsellors, over the telephone and then, if needed, up to eight face-to-face counselling sessions. These sessions take place in a location within one hour of the employee’s home or place of work. Counselling is provided on a wide range of work and personal issues including critical incidents, trauma, financial issues, relationships, bereavement, stress, conflict, and health. The service is available on a twenty-four hour basis, every day.

I also understand that there is a Peer Supporter Programme operating in each Garda District and that following a traumatic incident a peer supporter who has received appropriate training in helping colleagues cope with the effect of a traumatic incident in the workplace will contact the member(s) who were involved in the incident and  offer support. 

The Deputy will be aware that Connecting for Life is Ireland’s national strategy to reduce suicide 2015-2020.  Connecting for Life sets out a vision of an Ireland where fewer lives are lost through suicide, and where communities and individuals are empowered to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

A Cross-Sectoral Group comprising high-level representatives from Government Departments and key State agencies including An Garda Síochána has been established to support the implementation of Connecting for Life.