Bernard Allen
Question:81 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an investigation into the increased level of suicides in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Suicides in Ireland.
The number of suicides recorded in Ireland in the last ten years has ranged between 216 in 1980 and 283 in 1986. The number fell to 245 in 1987 and in 1988, the latest year for which information is available, the number recorded was 263. Ireland had a much lower rate of reported suicide in the early 1970s but it is widely accepted that there was significant underreporting of suicide at that time.
The rate of reported suicide in Ireland is among the lowest in the EC. After adjustment for average age differences, the rate was 9.1 per 100,000 population in Ireland, as compared with 26.8 in Denmark and 22.1 in France in the latest year of available data.
In the circumstances, I do not consider that the investigation proposed by the Deputy is warranted.