No new funding for suicide prevention

Junior Minister for Mental Health John Moloney said today that there is no extra money available to tackle the high rate of suicides in Ireland.

It comes as the Samaritans launch a new campaign targeting men in their 30s-50s - the age group in which suicide is increasing most rapidly.

The charity says the recession is to blame as these men are most likely the main breadwinners and therefore struggle if they lose their jobs.

Mr Moloney, at this morning's event, advised that no further funding will be made available this year following last week's announcement of almost €1m additional funding from Dormant Accounts Funding to a range of suicide prevention measures.